Livelihood system assessment and planning for poverty alleviation: a case of rainfed agriculture in Jharkhand

Abstract

Agriculture is the major livelihood source of 75% of the population residing in the rural areas of Jharkhand. Agricultural production is not able to meet the demand, leading to food and nutritional security as a major challenge in the state. A majority of Jharkhand population is below poverty line. This calls for an urgent attention of the policy makers to undertake productivity enhancement initiatives considering the land, water and human resources. The potential of agriculture needs to be harnessed through science-led development using systematic planning and promoting holistic solutions. A new paradigm of science-led participatory research for development and holistic approach along with enabling policies and intuitions are needed to address the food and nutritional security along with improved livelihoods of the rural people. The present paper assesses the current resource base in Jharkhand, the potential of which could be harnessed. An effort is also made to analyse future scenarios based on the trends of population growth in the state. Business as usual approach would not be effective to meet the demand and to reduce the poverty