Analytical Study on Human Labour Availability and its Utilization Pattern in Punjab Agriculture

Abstract

newlineThe current study was carried out in the Punjab which was divided into three broad zones (Sub- mountainous, Central and south-western) based on agro-climatic conditions. As such, Rupnagar district from the Sub-mountainous zone, Jalandhar from the Central zone and Bathinda from the South-western zone were selected. The sub-mountainous, central and south-western zones were designated as zone-I, II and III, respectively. The primary data were collected from 144 migrant labourers and 144 farmers in 12 villages across three zones in Punjab mainly to examine the human labour availability, factor affecting demand for human labour, labour utilization pattern in different agricultural agricultural operations, the extent of casualization among agricultural labour force and the socio-economic problems faced by them. The outcome revealed that around 56 per cent of the whole workforce of Punjab in 1961 relied on agriculture which included both farmers and labourers, however, it declined to 36 per cent in 2011. The study indicated that the majority of sample agricultural labourers could avail employment opportunity just for 4 to 6 months and that too ranging from 21 to 30 days in a month and work for more than 8 hours. The hired labour charges, farm size and family annual income significantly affected the labour demand in Punjab agriculture. Casual labour use was higher in paddy, sugarcane, cotton and potato cultivation and of hired labour in sowing and harvesting. On the other hand for wheat cultivation family labour use was higher and casual labour was hired at the time of harvesting of wheat crop. Majority of agricultural labourers belonged to Bihar state in zone I and II except zone III where the majority belonged to Punjab. Most of the migrant labourers were found satisfied (81.95%) with the accessibility of employment on regular basis, working hours (78.48%) and wage payment for work (76.39%). However, a quite high proportion (43.75%) of migrant labourers reported lack of unemployment during off-season with