A Review on Achievement of Financial Security in Agrarian Economy through Sustainable Livelihoods Options in Rural India

Abstract

Agriculture is the sector that contributes a lot in India’s growth and development and is very crucial for progress of our country. Inspite of the fact that Agriculture sector is contributing a lot in terms of gross domestic product, the farmers which are the real workforce behind India’s successful green revolution are living in a very pathetic and pitiable situation. Farmers in India are facing a lot of problems because there is difficulty in access to high yielding seeds, irrigation facilities, fertilizers, pesticides, storage facility for grains and machinery. Other problems which are adding up to the woes of farmers is climate change, agricultural policies, acquisition of agricultural land for development projects and special economic zones, farmers getting meagre share of benefits in agricultural production, lack of awareness of farmers right and casual approach in saving the rights of our farmers. These conditions are forcing our agricultural workforce to such a psychological stage where if their crop fails and if they have taken a loan from government or private Organizations or people, they feel helpless and are often committing suicides. So this paper addresses this problem by suggesting measures to be taken to avoid such losses of life by raising the capacity of farmers, making them financially secure and strengthening their backbone by providing them skills, trainings in various areas to increase livelihood options for them in rural India.This objective can be achieved in rural areas by making them practice agriculture along with other livelihood options. Farmers can increase profitability and income by value addition of their agricultural produce. Other alternatives which can empower farmers are by generating employment through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, promoting and providing trainings in areas like Organic farming, apiculture, pisciculture, silk and lac cultivation, horticulture, poultry farming and animal husbandry. Farmers which are under debt can be supported by waving of loans and helping them through microfinance. These initiatives should be taken up very seriously as government aims to double farmer’s income by 2022.