Sustainable livelihoods
Topic: Rural Development: Diversification, Allied Sectors and Organic Farming · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Rural Development"
Meaning
A sustainable livelihood is a lasting, productive way to earn a living that does not collapse after one bad season. In rural India, depending on crop farming alone is risky, because one failed monsoon or one price crash can wipe out a family's income. Rural people build sustainable livelihoods by diversifying, meaning they add livestock, fisheries, horticulture or non-farm work to farming. This spreads risk and gives income all year.
Example
In Tamil Nadu, Anthoniammal's Farm Women's Group in Tiruchirappalli, part of the TANWA programme, makes and sells vermicompost (compost made with earthworms) at a profit. The group earns steady income beyond the crop harvest.
Don't confuse with
- Supplementary employment: this is extra work taken up in the lean season. A sustainable livelihood is the broader goal of a lasting, secure income that such work helps to build.
Related concepts
- Agricultural diversification
- Kharif and Rabi seasons
- Cropping pattern
- Crop diversification
- Nutri-cereals