Livelihood Assets and Income Generating Activities: A Comparative Analysis in the Scheduled and Non-Scheduled Areas of Jharkhand

The main objective of the article is to identify different types of livelihood assets, income generating activities (IGAs) and choices of these activities by households across social groups in the Fifth and non-Fifth Scheduled areas of Jharkhand in eastern India. It is based on a primary survey of 785 households randomly selected across caste and Scheduled Tribe groups in Giridih and Latehar districts of Jharkhand. K-means clustering is applied for determination of latent class activity clusters and Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) model used for understanding the importance of livelihood assets in determining livelihood activity cluster (LC) for income generation. Further, discriminant analysis is applied to obtain probability of choice of individual households in determining livelihood generating activity. The analysis shows that forest-based activity remains a better livelihood support system in the Fifth Scheduled areas, which is less significant and further diminishing in the non-Fifth Scheduled areas. Rural households engaged in a diverse set of IGAs to obtain additional income to reduce risk and maintain a balanced consumption. Occupational transition is marked by the decline of agriculture and increasing reliance on daily-wage activities as the primary source of income. Other traditional livelihood activities such as animal husbandry and the collection of forest produce have less scope for income in the absence of institutional support.

Enjeux Socio-Economiques de la Fourniture Decentralisee d’electricite dans l’extreme Nord-Est du Benin, Departement de l’Alibori

L’énergie électrique est au centre de presque tous les grands défis mais aussi des perspectives prometteuses, qu’il s’agisse d’emploi, de sécurité, de changement climatique, de production de nourriture ou d’accroissement des revenus (UN, s.d.). Dans le département de l’Alibori au Bénin, la faiblesse d’accès à l’énergie conventionnelle a favorisé le recours à l’énergie hors réseau (EHR). La mise en œuvre de ce type d’électricité présente aussi bien des avantages que des inconvénients pour les localités et les populations bénéficiaires. Cet article se propose de faire une analyse des enjeux socioéconomiques de la fourniture décentralisée de l’électricité dans l’extrême nord-est du Bénin. La démarche méthodologique adoptée a consisté en la recherche documentaire, la collecte des données, leurs traitements et l’analyse des résultats. Les résultats obtenus montrent que dans le milieu d’étude, les équipements décentralisés ont d’une part réduit la dépendance à l’électricité conventionnelle, contribué au développement des activités génératrices de revenus dans les milieux ruraux, amélioré les conditions de vie des ménages et limité la migration des jeunes. D’autre part, ils ont engendré des problèmes d’ordres sociaux, économiques et techniques dans certaines communautés. Il urge de mettre en place une politique adéquate pour améliorer les conditions d'accès des populations à cet type d'électrification. Electrical energy is at the center of almost every major challenge and opportunity, whether it be employment, security, climate change, food production or income growth (UN, n.d.). In the department of Alibori in Benin, the lack of access to conventional energy has favored the use of off-grid energy (OGE). The implementation of this type of electricity has both advantages and disadvantages for the localities and the beneficiary populations. This article analyses the socio-economic challenges of decentralized electricity supply in the far north-east of Benin. The methodological approach adopted consisted of documentary research, data collection, data processing and analysis of the results. The results obtained show that in the study area, decentralized equipment has reduced dependence on conventional electricity, contributed to the development of income-generating activities in rural areas, improved the living conditions of households and limited youth migration. On the other hand, they have created social, economic and technical problems in some communities. It is urgent to put in place an adequate policy to improve the conditions of access of the populations to this type of electrification.

CONSTRAINTS FACED BY WOMEN IN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES IN VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Women are the builder and moulder of nation's destiny. Though delicate and soft as lily, she has a heart, far stronger and bolder than of man. She is supreme inspiration of man's onward march. Empowerment comes from Women's groups who seek to empower themselves through greater self-reliance. They have right to determine their own choices in life. They also seek to gain control and access to resources. The present study was conducted to find out the “Constraints Faced by Women in Empowerment through Income Generating Activities in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.” In Vishakhapatnam District Anakapalli Mandal was selected for data collection. Data was collected from 120 respondents randomly from 6 villages using pre-tested structured interview schedule and analyzed using frequency, percentage, scoring and coefficient of correlation. From this present study the major constraints faced by the respondents are Family restriction, Lack of education, Proper marketing facilities, Lack of proper guidance and financial limitations, Lack of resources, Lack of training and Lack of knowledge, skills and Mismanagement. It was suggested that Family should support to women for participating in different type of income generating activities followed by Women farmers should focus on increasing their education, Govt. should focus on increasing the Proper marketing facilities, Women empowerment organization should focus on proper guidance and different training programmes and Govt. & private organizations should provide funds for financial supports.

Water Dependency and Livelihoods of Rice Farmers in Doung Khpos commune, Cambodia

<p>Although the livelihoods of the households in Doung Khpos commune are encompassed of different strategies, the dominant one is rice farming. The main water sources for rice farming in Doung Khpos commune are rainwater and canals, both of which are constrained by either seasonality or functionality. With unreliable water supplies for rice farming and frequent drought, water dependent livelihoods are exposed to higher threats. Due to the non-availability and unpredictability of rainwater, the lack of water in the canals or the water commodification, some rice farmers were not able to grow rice all year round. The household income was reported to decrease; meanwhile some households had to borrow money to cover the household expenses. Some rice farmers coped with the household financial shortages by reducing the amount of food intake or asked the children to help with income generating activities which inevitably force them to skip or quit school. The growth and development of children could be impacted owing to the household economic insufficiency. The majority of the rice farmers did not have solutions to cope with the water challenges for rice farming. With limited coping mechanism or capacity to deal with frequent flood and drought, in conjunction with no support in relation to water for rice farming from any stakeholders, the vulnerability of the rice farmers in Doung Khpos commune is high. Improved water management, capacity building to the local community on climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness and water governance, are believed to enhance the livelihoods of the rice farmers in Doung Khpos commune.</p>

Water Dependency and Livelihoods of Rice Farmers in Doung Khpos commune, Cambodia

<p>Although the livelihoods of the households in Doung Khpos commune are encompassed of different strategies, the dominant one is rice farming. The main water sources for rice farming in Doung Khpos commune are rainwater and canals, both of which are constrained by either seasonality or functionality. With unreliable water supplies for rice farming and frequent drought, water dependent livelihoods are exposed to higher threats. Due to the non-availability and unpredictability of rainwater, the lack of water in the canals or the water commodification, some rice farmers were not able to grow rice all year round. The household income was reported to decrease; meanwhile some households had to borrow money to cover the household expenses. Some rice farmers coped with the household financial shortages by reducing the amount of food intake or asked the children to help with income generating activities which inevitably force them to skip or quit school. The growth and development of children could be impacted owing to the household economic insufficiency. The majority of the rice farmers did not have solutions to cope with the water challenges for rice farming. With limited coping mechanism or capacity to deal with frequent flood and drought, in conjunction with no support in relation to water for rice farming from any stakeholders, the vulnerability of the rice farmers in Doung Khpos commune is high. Improved water management, capacity building to the local community on climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness and water governance, are believed to enhance the livelihoods of the rice farmers in Doung Khpos commune.</p>

Donkey Ownership Provides a Range of Income Benefits to the Livelihoods of Rural Households in Northern Ghana

Donkeys provide important resources and benefits for millions of people worldwide. However, global donkey populations are under increasing pressure from the growing demand for a traditional Chinese medicine, e’jiao, made from donkey-skin. The objective of this reflexive, qualitative thematic analysis was to examine the role of donkeys with 262 participants in northern Ghana and how donkeys contribute to livelihood outcomes, especially their use by women and children. Data was collected from four surveys, 12 in-depth interviews and 84 daily time budgets with the same participants, plus 16 focus groups, during one wet and one dry season across 2018-19. Uniquely, boys and girls between the ages of 10–16-years old were interviewed. Donkeys are highly valued by their owners as they play a valuable role in providing a pathway out of ultra-poverty. Donkeys’ contributions to livelihoods are significant and more complex than previously understood and documented in the literature. Donkey ownership confers up to six different income benefits in comparison to non-donkey owners. Female owners of donkeys reported that donkeys can contribute between 30–60% of their income. Children of both sexes can play an important role in the efficient deployment of one of these income generating activities.

Influence of Income Generating Activities and Resource Accessibility on Empowerment of Women in Makueni County

There is need to establish the role played by NGOs in promoting women empowerment and how this leads to reduction of the socio-economic vulnerability of women. Because of the low participation of women in decision making process, control over ownership and access of resources and wealth, increased poverty levels, increased cases of gender-based violence. This has necessitated the need to establish the role of NGOs in women empowerment in Makueni County. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the effect of income generating activities and the resource availability on women empowerment. The anchor theory for this study is the Women Empowerment Framework by Sara Longwe and the other theory used in the study include Kabeers 3-dimensional model. The study population was 60 women groups in Kalawa ward, Makueni County who have benefited from the NGOs programs. The total number of respondents were 1254 and a sample size of 294 was used. The study found that there was an influence of income generating activities on women empowerment. A unit increase in income generating activities was found to increase women empowerment by 0.323 units. The study also found that there was there was a negative influence of resource accessibility on women empowerment, implying that a unit increase in resource accessibility decreases women empowerment by 0.152 units. The study recommendations are that NGOs, National and County Governments to provide linkage to markets for the products from the income generating activities by women groups. Both Government and NGOs should develop frameworks to engage women in development agenda. Keywords: Women Empowerment, Income Generating Activities, Resource Availability

Financial Sustainability of the Russian Higher Education Institutions: Quantitative Analysis

Purpose. Quantitative analysis and identification of determinants of Russian universities’ financial sustainability.Methods. Non-parametric methods for data analysis and machine learning.Results. We proposed two groups of working hypothesis. The levels of financial sustainability of Russian state universities are linked to internal environmental factors including the levels of financial management quality, income-generating activities scale, debt financing, fiscal discipline, academic and research-based activities scales. The levels of financial sustainability of Russian state universities are linked to external environmental factors and depend on the funding patterns and regional dimensions.Conclusions. Special conditions for increased state funding are not sufficient to strengthen universities’ financial sustainability. Moreover, we have established the insignificance of the university geographical location influence on financial sustainability. We have come to a conclusion that both financial management efficiency and prior year financial sustainability have key roles to play in current sustainability formation. Universities with a large scale of income-generating activities are more financially stable due to the diversification of sources of financial support for their overall activities.

Commercialization of the activities of medical institutions — a steady trend

The features of the economic activity of budgetary institutions, including the restrictions and prohibitions established by the current legislation in relation to budgetary institutions, the interests of the state and medical institutions from the position of further improving the efficiency of their activities in the provision of paid medical services are considered. The analysis of the novelties of the legislation regulating paid services provided, including by budgetary medical institutions, is carried out; legislative initiatives to expand the independence of budgetary institutions, including in terms of the disposal of income received by them from income-generating activities; recent changes in the legal organization of medical activities, including clarification of the contractual mechanism for the provision of paid specialized services by medical institutions.

Women's Income-Generating Activities and Gender Roles in Rural Households in Mayo Danay Division, Northern Cameroon

In sub-Saharan Africa, women participate in the rural labor market where they are present in subsistence agro-pastoral activities, which are more domestic work and, in other income-generating rural activities such as trading. Within the studies carried out on women’s status in communities, those on women's access to income-generating activities in certain contexts such as Ghanaian urban areas, have revealed that, income-generating activities contribute to a redistribution of gender roles in households. This paper by questioning the impacts of women's economic activities on gender relations within households in rural areas of Northern Cameroon, aims to analyse the realities faced by women involved in income-generating activities in a particular rural area to assess if the changes mentioned above happened in all communities. The data used for this work are empirical data from a qualitative survey of 48 women living in 8 villages in Mayo Danay, an administrative territory in Northern Cameroon. The results of this survey reveal that rural women involved in income-generating activities are both breadwinners and domestic workers. Contrary to what was observed in Ghana, the status of female breadwinners does not participate in the emancipation of women. Indeed, even with their means of production, women are still dependent on men and are still alone to bear the burden of the domestic work. Access of women to income-generating activities and their participation in household expenditures have surely reduced poverty in households but have not contributed to gender roles changes.