Dynamics of occupational change of agricultural labour in Punjab: a study of Bathinda and Jalandhar districts

Abstract

The green revolution almost affected each and every aspect of households concerned with agriculture sector. It is generally held that production and productivity of Punjab agriculture increased manifold. But all the sections related to agriculture sector were not equally benefited. Agricultural labour did not get its due share in the increased income of the agriculture sector. Consequently, the local agricultural labour started withdrawing from agriculture sector and shifted to non-agricultural occupations to find livelihood or better livelihood. Hence, Bathinda and Jalandhar districts of Punjab state were chosen for studying the selected theme on the basis of various socio-economic parameters. Data were collected by stratified random sampling technique. In this study, it has been tried to know the structure of employment of withdrawn agricultural labour. This study also throws light on main causes of occupational change by agricultural labour and examines the various types and locations of new occupations joined by them. Besides, an attempt has also been made to know the different attributes of withdrawn agricultural labour. As regards to the structure of employment of withdrawn agricultural labour households (WALHs), the study highlights that the tilt of most of the withdrawn labour towards the categories of employment, i.e., ?independent occupations started without taking financial help? and ?others?, which include masons, helpers (labourers) to mason, drivers of hired taxies, helpers in shops, in small repairing units, etc. in both the districts taken together. It resulted in relatively increasing the casualisation of labour employment in the new occupations as compared to the old one. It is found that in Jalandhar district, being relatively developed (i.e., on the basis of higher literacy ratio, industrial set up, etc.) the proportion of occupational change was found to be higher than Bathinda district. Further, in each district, proximity to nearby city became a stimulant for this change..