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| Title: | Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for Food and Livelihood Security: An Economic Study of Tribal Economy in Western Ghats of Karnataka, India |
| Authors: | Tejaswi, Pillenahalli Basavarajappa |
| Issue Date: | 2008 |
| Series/Report no.: | Master's Thesis |
| Abstract: | The present study attempts to assess the contribution of NTFPs to income and employment
by ensuring food and livelihood security for the tribal economy in the Kodagu district
located in Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. This study estimates the contribution to
income and employment and the costs and returns of NTFPs collections. Furthermore a
Tobit model is estimated determining the factors influencing share of NTFP in income. For
carrying out this study, simple random sampling was used and data was collected from 91
tribal households.
The result of the study indicates that most employment (55%) was generated by the wage
sector followed by NTFPs collection (26%) and other sectors (19%). Also, wage earnings
generated the highest average annual income per households (INR.14244) followed by
NTFP (INR 5505) and other sectors accounting 10% to the total tribal income. Comparing
income and employment from various sectors indicates that: (i) NTFPs collection is
performed by all households irrespective of income contribution but (ii) income
contribution from wage earning is highest. The higher contribution of wage income to the
total income of tribals is due the employment absorption in the coffee sector during different
seasons of the year. This fetches a higher wage rate (INR.120/day) compared to the
opportunity cost of labour in NTFP (INR.80/day). However, the employment and income
levels from coffee and NTFP are uncertain in nature. Thus, income levels from combination
of NTFP and other activities generate sustainable income for food and livelihood security.
Results of the Tobit model indicate a positive significant relationship between total hours of
collection (b= 0.901) with income share of the NTFPs. A negative relationship with income
variables such as farm income (b= -0.001) and wage income (b= -0.003) was found to be
statistically significant at the 99 % confidence level. While services and allied activities
(b= -0.001) were negative significant at 95 % confidence level. These variables influence the
share of NTFPs in income.
The main problems faced by the tribals include government restrictions regarding NTFP
collection, limited employment possibilities, inappropriate benefit distribution and misuse
of funds and finally a lack of processing activity at the local level. In order to overcome
these problems, an efficient distribution of existing benefits through proper institutional
mechanisms is needed. In addition, processing activities have to be encouraged through
trainings and skill development. This can add in realizing sustainable income and
employment throughout the year. |
| Notes: | Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the joint academic degree of International Master of Science in Rural Development from Ghent
University (Belgium), Agrocampus Rennes (France), Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) and
University of Cordoba (Spain) in collaboration with Wageningen University (The Netherlands),
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovakia) and the University of Pisa (Italy). |
| URI: | http://purl.umn.edu/54184 |
| Institution/Association: | Miscellaneous Papers>Miscellaneous Papers |
| Total Pages: | 90 |
| Collections: | Miscellaneous Papers
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| Thesis_Tejaswi__18th_Aug_2008_final[1].pdf | | 2334Kb | PDF | View/Open |
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