Dynamics of Labour Employment in Agriculture and Socio Economic Impact of Mgnrega

Abstract

The study on agricultural labour employment pattern and socio-economic impact newlineof MGNREGA was taken up in three districts (Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura and newlineBelagavi) in Karnataka state during 2016-17. Primary data on labour participation, newlinemigration and the impact of MGNREGA on households and on agriculture was studied. newlineThe total sample size was 270 (90 participants, 90 non-participants and 90 farmers). newlineSecondary data on employment (1991-92 to 2011-12) was collected from Population newlineCensus and wage data was collected from Directorate of Economics and Statistics. newlineGrowth rate, Ratio method, Multiple Linear Regression, Logit Model and Garrett s newlineranking techniques were emplo yed. newlineThe decadal changes in 2001 over 1991 and 2011 over 2001 indicated increase newlinein total workforce but percentage of cultivators decreased and it could be due to shift of newlinecultivators towards non- farm sector and small size land holding. The mean real wages newlineof agricultural workers of both gender in the state and across districts showed an newlineincreased trend. The hike in wages might be due to MGNREGA programme and high newlinewages in non- farm sector. The participants under the programme offered an annual newlineemployment for 41, 48 and 36 man days and their income increased to 19.31, 21.10 and newline14.84 per cent, respectively in Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura and Belagavi districts. In newlineaddition to the employment opportunities, the programme had created labour scarcity newlinefor operations like weeding (18.66%) and sowing (16.53%). In the selected three newlinedistricts labour force participation was more in farm sector than the non- farm sector. newlineDuring off-agricultural seasons higher percentage of non-participants migrated to newlinenearest cities for their livelihood than participants. Very small size of land holding and newlinelack of continuous work were the main push factors and availability of adequate newlineemployment and higher wage rates were the main pull factors for migration in the newlinestudy area.