Livelihood diversification: case study of some backward regions in India

Now- a- days the rural economy is not based solely on agriculture but relies on a diverse array of activities and enterprises. This aspect is taken account of by recent evolution of the concept of livelihood diversification as a survival strategy of rural households in developing countries and stabilize their incomes. It is now well recognised that peoples’ ability to engage in supplementary (and often better rewarding) non-agricultural activities is often governed by their relative access to a diversity of asset base. Access to this diverse form of assets is influenced by a complex web of socio- economic as well as geographical environment in the concerned region. It is notable that access to different types of assets and socio-economic factors, gives rise to differences in skill formation and income generation opportunities. In this backdrop, an analysis has been made pertaining to the issues of livelihood and diversification strategy followed by people in two very backward regions in W.B in India with different geographic and socio -economic features. Greater divergences/uniformities in socio-economic status, outlook, opportunities and push and pull factors explain significant/insignificant difference in various parameters of diversification across the study areas.