Livelihood Strategies and Agricultural Practices in Khonoma …
427
of India, the total population of the village is 1943 persons and it comprises of 424
families (Census of India 2011).
3 Methodology
The method adopted for this study was observation, questionnaire and participatory
approach. The primary data was collected through a survey conducted on 60 households (around 14% of total households) randomly selected from the village during
the month of August, 2018. The household surveys were undertaken using structured questionnaires that included questions on the underlying drivers of shifting
cultivation, i.e., household size, income, assets, credit behaviour, land size, livelihood strategies typology, etc. The questionnaire was prepared before arriving on
site, and was subsequently tested with five households in the area to make sure the
questions were relevant. In addition to household survey, we have also interviewed
various stakeholders consisting of members of Village Council, members of various
organizations instituted under the aegis of the Village Council and the general public.
Data were analysed using simple statistical and graphical tools.
4 Results
4.1 Livelihood Strategies of Households
Livelihood strategies indicate the way people make their living. Information from
communities indicates that all the villagers of Khonoma depend directly or indirectly
on agriculture for their livelihood. It fundamentally consists of rice cultivation in
the surrounding wetland terrace fields and agricultural products such as vegetables,
fruits and cash crops from the jhum fields. In addition to agriculture, the people
of Khonoma also practices subsidiary occupation like basketry, carpentry, weaving,
woodwork and stone masonry to supplement their earnings. There is also a small
section of the community who are employed in government and private institute
in different capacities. Table 1 presents a background of the primary occupation
practised by the respondents in Khonoma village.
As indicated in Table 1, a total of 65% of respondents showed that they make their
living from agriculture. Generally, crop farming was revealed to be the common
livelihood strategy that supports most individuals, families and households in the
area. However, field observations show that people are mostly practicing rain fed crop
farming with small scattered crop fields under supplementary traditional irrigation
practices and systems located mainly on mountain slopes and some towards the
valley bottoms in the lowlands underneath the forest top mountains. The second
major group comprise of Government employees like teachers, school staff, field
427
of India, the total population of the village is 1943 persons and it comprises of 424
families (Census of India 2011).
3 Methodology
The method adopted for this study was observation, questionnaire and participatory
approach. The primary data was collected through a survey conducted on 60 households (around 14% of total households) randomly selected from the village during
the month of August, 2018. The household surveys were undertaken using structured questionnaires that included questions on the underlying drivers of shifting
cultivation, i.e., household size, income, assets, credit behaviour, land size, livelihood strategies typology, etc. The questionnaire was prepared before arriving on
site, and was subsequently tested with five households in the area to make sure the
questions were relevant. In addition to household survey, we have also interviewed
various stakeholders consisting of members of Village Council, members of various
organizations instituted under the aegis of the Village Council and the general public.
Data were analysed using simple statistical and graphical tools.
4 Results
4.1 Livelihood Strategies of Households
Livelihood strategies indicate the way people make their living. Information from
communities indicates that all the villagers of Khonoma depend directly or indirectly
on agriculture for their livelihood. It fundamentally consists of rice cultivation in
the surrounding wetland terrace fields and agricultural products such as vegetables,
fruits and cash crops from the jhum fields. In addition to agriculture, the people
of Khonoma also practices subsidiary occupation like basketry, carpentry, weaving,
woodwork and stone masonry to supplement their earnings. There is also a small
section of the community who are employed in government and private institute
in different capacities. Table 1 presents a background of the primary occupation
practised by the respondents in Khonoma village.
As indicated in Table 1, a total of 65% of respondents showed that they make their
living from agriculture. Generally, crop farming was revealed to be the common
livelihood strategy that supports most individuals, families and households in the
area. However, field observations show that people are mostly practicing rain fed crop
farming with small scattered crop fields under supplementary traditional irrigation
practices and systems located mainly on mountain slopes and some towards the
valley bottoms in the lowlands underneath the forest top mountains. The second
major group comprise of Government employees like teachers, school staff, field