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Abstract
This micro level study, conducted in the state of Chhattisgarh to examine
the income and employment pattern, has revealed that farm and non-farm
activities are the main sources of income and employment and off-farm
activity (agricultural labour) contributes only a negligible portion. The
smallholders as well as landless households during the slack agricultural
season depend on rural non-farm activities as the source of earning. A
wide disparity in economy of farm and non-farm households has been
observed. The income has been found higher under farm than non-farm
households, but on per capita basis, no significant difference has been
observed between farm and non-farm households. Within farm households,
there are wide disparities between marginal and large farmers. A major
portion of farm household’s income is generated from kharif crops and a
small portion by rabi crops due to prevalence of mono-cropped farming
system in the state. A majority of households has been found to generate
their employment through non-farm activities. The annual employment
generated by non-farm household is considerably higher as compared to
that by farm households. Within farm households, employment provided
by service activities has shown a positive relationship with farm-size,
while there is inverse relationship with non-agricultural labour. Policies
aimed at improving the income and employment level include diversification
of agriculture and increasing of crop productivity. To promote the rural
non-farm sector, financial assistance may be provided to start new nonfarm
activities.