Rural and Urban Livelihoods - Long Answer Questions
Farming (Agriculture), Fishing, Animal Husbandry/Dairy, Collecting forest produce, and Non-farm works (Basket weaving, Blacksmith, Pottery).
People who do not own land (or very little). They work on others' fields for daily wages. Their work is seasonal (ploughing, sowing, weeding, harvesting).
They own small plots. They do all the work themselves with family. They often need to borrow money for seeds/fertilizers. If crops fail, they fall into debt.
They own large lands. They hire labourers. They use machines. They sell produce in the market. They often have other businesses (shops, money lending, mills).
Carving out steps on hill slopes to make flat land for farming. It prevents soil erosion and retains water. Practiced in Nagaland (Chizami village).
Farmers borrow money to buy seeds/pesticides. If monsoon fails or pests attack, crops fail. They cannot pay back. They borrow more. Debt accumulates (Debt Trap). Major cause of farmer suicides.
They sell things on the street (vegetables, plastic items, food). They have no permanent shop. Police can ask them to move anytime. No job security.
1. Casual Workers (Daily wage, no security). 2. Permanent Workers (Salary, PF, Holidays, Medical). 3. Self-Employed (Shopkeepers, Businessmen).
New form of employment in big cities. Centralized offices that deal with problems/questions of consumers regarding goods/services. Requires computers and English speaking skills.
Workers gathered at 'Labour Chowks'. Wait for employers to hire them for the day (construction, lifting loads). No work = No pay.
A small farmer with 2 acres. He borrows seeds from a trader and has to sell his paddy to him at a lower price. He also works in a rice mill.
A big farmer with 20 acres and a rice mill. He is prosperous.
A landless labourer working on Ramalingam's land. She earns Rs 40 per day (low wage). She also does household work.
For 4 months (breeding season), they cannot go to the sea. They survive by borrowing money from traders. Later they are forced to sell fish to that trader.
A simple boat made of logs tied together, used by fishermen.
Regular salary, Provident Fund (savings for old age), Holidays (Sundays/National), Medical facilities for family.
Someone who is not employed by anyone but employs others. They have their own shops or offices. They get a license from the Municipal Corporation.
Movement of people from rural to urban areas in search of work, usually when there is no work in the village (lean season).
There are more than 1 crore street vendors working in urban areas.
To allow street vendors a designated place to work without blocking traffic, giving them dignity and legality.
Rural and Urban Livelihoods - Important Facts
Nearly 2/5th of all rural families are agricultural labourers.
Agriculture is seasonal work.
Non-farm activities: basket making, brick making.
Coastal areas depend on Fishing.
Mountain areas depend on Terrace Farming.
Chizami is in Phek district, Nagaland.
Chizami people belong to Chakhesang community.
Paddy requires a lot of water.
Debt is a major distress factor.
Money lenders charge high interest.
Traders force farmers to sell at low prices.
Rice mills buy paddy and sell rice.
Sugarcane is sold to sugar factories.
Cotton is sold to cotton markets.
Fishermen's lives depend on the sea.
Tsunami destroys fishing livelihoods.
Street vending is now recognized as a right.
Hawking zones are being created.
Casual workers have no job security.
Casual workers work very long hours.
Cloth mills hire casual workers.
Permanent employees get Provident Fund (PF).
Permanent employees get paid holidays.
Permanent employees get medical leave.
Call centres differ from factories.
Cities offer more service jobs.
Villages offer more primary sector jobs.
Migration causes slum growth in cities.
Rural livelihoods are vulnerable to climate.
Urban livelihoods are vulnerable to market.
Rickshaw pullers are daily wage earners.
Shopkeepers employ assistants.
Factories usually have shifts (Day/Night).
Export Garment units employ many women.
Tailors are skilled workers.
Zari work is specialized embroidery.
Street food is cheap and popular.
Vandana is a Dress Designer (Business woman).
She buys cloth from Surat/Mumbai.
Workshops are small factories in homes.
Labour Chowk is a waiting place for workers.
Nirmala works in a garment factory.
Sudha is a Marketing Manager.
Sudha has a permanent job.
Visiting a dentist is difficult for casual workers (wage loss).
Permanent jobs provide stability.
Rural women do most farm work + housework.
Collecting firewood/water takes hours.
Dairy cooperatives help rural income.
Banks provide loans to farmers (Kisan Credit Card).
Rural and Urban Livelihoods - Important Dates/Terms
Key Concept: Seasonal Unemployment