Livelihood security of agricultural labour households in rainfed region of north-Karnataka – An economic analysis

A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (social and material resources) and activities used by households for means of living. A livelihood index has been developed for agricultural labour households, based on the primary data. Six different sub-indices obtained are indicators of Economic, Food, Health, Education, Habitat and Social network Status for the rainfed regions of Bijapur district. Finally, a composite livelihood security index has been developed which indicates the livelihood status of migration and non-migration labour households in the study area. It is found that, migration households were moderately secured in terms of food security, economic security, education security and social network security. It was poor in case of health and habitat security. The composite livelihood security index (0.791) indicated that migration households were moderately secured in terms of livelihood. Non-migration labour households, the composite livelihood security index (0.645) indicated that households were less secured. In terms of food security and economic security, moderately secured and highly secured in education. In terms of health, habitat, social networks security non-migration labour households were less secured.