Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020)
Space and Culture, India

Research

Seasonal Migration as a Livelihood Strategy of Women Agricultural Labourers in Soul Ponamara Mouza of Hirbandh Block, Bankura District, West Bengal

Published 2020-11-29

  • Debmita Nandi
    • ,
  • Sumana Sarkar

Debmita Nandi
Senior Research Fellow, Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal

Sumana Sarkar
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, West Bengal

Abstract

Seasonal migration is a common livelihood strategy among marginal and landless people of the western part of West Bengal. The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and Census data have failed to provide information on seasonal migration and livelihoods at the micro-level. The present study focuses on the nature, characteristics and factors of seasonal migration with its importance as a livelihood strategy among women agricultural labourers (WALs) in Soul Ponamara mouza of Hirbandh block at the micro-level. The study is based on primary data collection using a purposive sampling method and a semi-structured questionnaire, personal interview and focus group discussion. This study reveals that seasonal migration from Soul Ponamara to the adjacent agriculturally prosperous districts viz. Purba Bardhaman and Hooghly (4 to 6 times in a year) is a common livelihood strategy among WALs in the study area, and its proportion is almost equal to when compared to male migrants. The small size of agricultural land holding, existing monoculture system, lack of irrigation facilities, a limited job opportunity in the Soul Ponamara mouza and its surrounding area (Amjhuri, Bijardihi, Chaka Doba, Moshiara, Bamni and Rangametia) provoke women labourers to move out in searching of works. In contrast, high wage and massive demand for skilled and semi-skilled agricultural labourers during sowing and harvesting season in the destination area, that is, paddy and potato fields of Purba Bardhaman and Hooghly districts acted as a magnet to absorb these immigrants into the workforce. This study concludes that seasonal migration opted for employment and income generation is the primary livelihood strategy adopted by the rural WALs of this mouza to cope up with the existing poverty and food insecurity.

Keywords

Livelihood Strategy, Agricultural Labourer, Seasonal Migration, Food Insecurity, Sustainable Integrated Plan, Bankura, West Bengal, India

pdf

References

  1. Adhikari, B., Bag, M. K., Bhowmick, M. K., & Kundu, C. (2011). Status paper on rice in West Bengal. Rice Research Station, Government of West Bengal, India. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255742981_Status_Paper_on_Rice_in_West_Bengal
  2. Agarwal, B. (1990). Social security and the family: Coping with seasonality and calamity in rural India. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 17(3), 341–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066159008438426 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03066159008438426
  3. Asfaw, W., Tolossa, D., & Zeleke, G. (2010). Causes and impacts of seasonal migration on rural livelihoods: Case studies from Amhara Region in Ethiopia. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift, 64(1), 58–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/00291950903557696 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00291950903557696
  4. Beck, T. (1989). Survival strategies and power amongst the poorest in a West Bengal Village. IDS Bulletin, 20(2), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.1989.mp20002004.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.1989.mp20002004.x
  5. Berchoux, T., Watmough, G. R., Hutton, C. W., & Atkinson, P. M. (2019). Agricultural shocks and drivers of livelihood precariousness across Indian rural communities. Landscape and Urban Planning, 189, 307-319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.04.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.04.014
  6. Biswal, M. (2020). Impact of seasonal migration on children of a scheduled caste community in western Odisha, India. EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review, 72-78. https://doi.org/10.36713/epra3055 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra3055
  7. Census of India. (2011a). Bankura district census Abstract. http.//censusindia.gov.in on, accessed on 20/5/2018
  8. Census of India. (2011b). Bankura district village directory. http.//censusindia.gov.in on, accessed on 20/4/2019
  9. Chandrasekhar, C. P., & Ghosh, J. (2007, September 25). Dealing with short-term migration. The Hindu, Business Line, p. 12. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/Dealing-with-short-term-migration/article20176527.ece
  10. Chandrasekhar, S., & Sahoo, S. (2018). Short-term migration in rural India: The impact of nature and extent of participation in agriculture (No. 2018-016). Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Short-term%20Migration%20in%20Rural%20India.pdf
  11. De Haan, A., Brock, K., & Coulibaly, N. (2002). Migration, livelihoods and institutions: Contrasting patterns of migration in Mali. Journal of Development Studies, 38(5), 37-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220380412331322501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220380412331322501
  12. Debnath, M. (2020). Exploring the behavior of seasonal agricultural migrants in the Rarh region of West Bengal, India. Spatial Information Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41324-020-00338-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41324-020-00338-6
  13. Debnath, M., & Nayak, D. K. (2020). Assessing drought-induced temporary migration as an adaptation strategy: Evidence from rural India. Migration and Development, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/21632324.2020.1797458 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21632324.2020.1797458
  14. Deshingkar, P., & Start, D. (2003). Seasonal migration for livelihoods in India: Coping, accumulation and exclusion. Overseas Development Institute..
  15. District Human Development Report (2007). Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Kolkata.
  16. District Statistical Handbook(2014). Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal.
  17. Ellis, F. (2008). The determinants of rural livelihood diversification in developing countries. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 51(2), 289–302. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.2000.tb01229.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.2000.tb01229.x
  18. Fernando, R. L. S., & Gunasekara, H. O. C. (2019). Poverty reduction efforts in siyambalanduwa divisional secretariat in Monaragala district in Sri Lanka: Problems and prospects. In R. et al (Ed.). Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in South Asia (pp. 195–213). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429323041-13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429323041-13
  19. Filep, B. (2009). Interview and translation strategies: Coping with multilingual settings & data. Social Geography, 4(1), 59-70. https://doi.org/10.5194/sg-4-59-2009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/sg-4-59-2009
  20. Garikipati, S. (2008). Agricultural wage work, seasonal migration and the widening gender gap: Evidence from a semi-arid region of Andhra Pradesh. European Journal of Development Research, 20(4), 629–648. https://doi.org/10.1080/09578810802464870 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09578810802464870
  21. Gautam, Y. (2017). Seasonal migration and livelihood resilience in the face of climate change in Nepal. Mountain Research and Development, 37(4), 436. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-17-00035.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-17-00035.1
  22. Ghosh, R. & Mal, S. (2017). Impacts of rural labour migration of south Bengal: A case study of Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal, India. Global Journal of Human -Social Science,17(7), 25-32.
  23. Gill, G. J. (2003). Seasonal labour migration in rural Nepal : a preliminary overview. https://www.worldcat.org/title/seasonal-labour-migration-in-rural-nepal-a-preliminary-overview/oclc/56067783&referer=brief_results
  24. Gundappa, & Dsouza, A. A. (2014). Migration of agricultural labourers and its impact on the farming sector. Journal of Social Sciences, 6(3), 202–213. http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/11028
  25. Hazell, P., & Ramasamy, C. (1991). The green revolution reconsidered: The impact of high-yielding rice varieties in South India. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19926713240
  26. Hussain, A., Memon, J. A., & Hanif, S. (2020). Weather shocks, coping strategies and farmers’ income: A case of rural areas of district Multan, Punjab. Weather and Climate Extremes, 30, 100288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2020.100288 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2020.100288
  27. Hussain, M. (1996). Systematic agricultural geography. Rawat Publications, New Delhi, India.
  28. Islam, M., Kashem, S., Morshed, S., Rahman, M., & Das, A. (2019). Dynamics of seasonal migration of rural livelihood; capital formation perspective. Advanced Journal of Social Science,5(1),81-92. https://doi.org/10.21467/ajss.5.1.81-92 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21467/ajss.5.1.81-92
  29. Keshri, K., & Bhagat, R. B. (2010). Temporary and seasonal migration in India. Genus, 66(3), 25–45. https://doi.org/10.4402/genus-207
  30. Keshri,K., & Bhagat, R.B. (2012). Temporary and seasonal migration: Regional pattern, characteristics and associated factors. Economic and Political Weekly, 47(4), 81-88. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41419769
  31. Keshri, K., & Bhagat, R. B. (2013). Socioeconomic determinants of temporary labour migration in India: A regional analysis. Asian Population Studies, 9(2), 175–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441730.2013.797294 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17441730.2013.797294
  32. Khatun, D., & Roy, B. C. (2016). Rural livelihood diversification in West Bengal: Nature and extent. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 29(2), 183. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0279.2016.00046.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0279.2016.00046.X
  33. Lindstrom, D. P., & Ramírez, A. L. (2010). Pioneers and followers: Migrant selectivity and the development of U.S. migration streams in Latin America. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 630(1), 53–77. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716210368103 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716210368103
  34. Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India (2020). Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. https://mnregaweb2.nic.in/netnrega/homestciti.aspx?state_code=32&state_name=WEST%20BENGAL
  35. Mishra, D.K. (2016). Seasonal migration from Odisha: a view from the field. In D.K. Mishra (Eds.), Internal migration in Contemporary India (pp. 263-290). Sage Publiation India Pvt. Ltd.
  36. Mishra, D. K. (2020). Seasonal migration and unfree labour in globalising India: Insights from Field surveys in Odisha. The Indian Journal of Labour Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41027-020-00277-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41027-020-00277-8
  37. National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land use Planning (2010). Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Retrieved from https://www.nbsslup.in/
  38. Panda, P., & Agarwal, B. (2005). Marital violence, human development and women's property status in India. World Development, 33(5), 823–850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2005.01.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2005.01.009
  39. Panda, S. S., & Mishra, N. R. (2018). Factors affecting temporary labour migration for seasonal work: A review. Management Research Review, 41(10), 1176-1200. https://doi.org/10.1108/mrr-04-2017-0104 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-04-2017-0104
  40. Rademacher-Schulz, C., Schraven, B., & Mahama, E. S. (2014). Time matters: Shifting seasonal migration in Northern Ghana in response to rainfall variability and food insecurity. Climate and Development, 6(1), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2013.830955 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2013.830955
  41. Rafique, A. (2003). Floods, poverty and , seasonal migration. Economic and Political Weekly, 38(10), 943–945. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4413304
  42. Rai, P. (2020). Seasonal masculinities: Seasonal labour migration and masculinities in rural western India. Gender,Place & Culture, 27(2), 260-280. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2019.1640188 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2019.1640188
  43. Ravenstein, E. G. (1889). The laws of migration. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, 52(2), 241. https://doi.org/10.2307/2979333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2979333
  44. Regmi, K., Naidoo, J., & Pilkington, P. (2010). Understanding the processes of translation and transliteration in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 9(1), 16-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691000900103 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691000900103
  45. Rogaly, B. (2010). Workers on the move: Seasonal migration and changing social relations in rural India. 2074, 20–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/741922628 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/741922628
  46. Rogaly, B., Biswas, J., Coppard, D., Rafique, A., Rana, K., & Sengupta, A. (2001). Seasonal migration, social change and migrants? Rights: Lessons from West Bengal. Economic and Political Weekly, 36(49), 4547–4559. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4411446
  47. Rogaly, B., & Coppard, D. (2003). “They used to go to eat, now they go to earn”: The changing meanings of seasonal migration from Puruliya District in West Bengal, India. Journal of Agrarian Change, 3(3), 395–433. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0366.00060 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0366.00060
  48. Rogaly, B., Coppard, D., Rafique, A., Rana, K., Sengupta, A., & Biswas, J. (2002). Seasonal migration and welfare/illfare in eastern India: A social analysis. Journal of Development Studies, 38(5), 89–114. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220380412331322521 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220380412331322521
  49. Serrat, O. (2017). The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. In O. Serrat (Ed.), Knowledge Solutions (pp. 21–26). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_5
  50. Siddiqui, K. (2019, December 16). Bankura tops nation in MGNREGA performance. The Statesman, p. 14. https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/bankura-tops-nation-in-mgnrega-performance-1502834221.html
  51. Singh, U. P. (2002). Boro rice in Eastern India. rice-wheat consortium regional technical coordination committee meeting. 10-14 February 2002. Rice-Wheat Consortium for the Indo-Gangetic Plains, New Delhi, India.
  52. Singh, N. P., Singh, R. P., Kumar, R., Padaria, R. N., Singh, A., & Varghese, N. (2011). Labour migration in Indo-Gangetic plains: Determinants and impacts on socio-economic welfare. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 24, 449–458. http://dx.doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.119396
  53. Sundari, S. (2005). Migration as a livelihood strategy: A gender perspective. Economic and Political Weekly, 40(22), 2295–2303. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4416709
  54. Temple, B. & Young, A. (2004). Qualitative research and translation dilemmas. Qualitative Research, 4(2), 161-178. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794104044430 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794104044430
  55. Thapa, R., & Yadav, S. K. (2015). Rural labour migration in India : Magnitude and characteristics. International Journal of Applied Research, 1(2), 114–118. http://www.shram.org/uploadFiles/20170824020611.pdf
  56. Walker, T. S., & Ryan, J. G. (1990). Village and household economies in India’s semi-arid tropics. Baltimore.: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
  57. Zelinsky, W. (1971). The hypothesis of the mobility transition. Geographical Review, 61(2), 219. https://doi.org/10.2307/213996 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/213996

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.