Extent and Determinants of Poverty among Rural Non-Farm Workers in Punjab

The economy of Punjab has been undergoing the process of structural change. The share of the primary sector in total employment has declined at a slower rate. Trends have that people are shifting to the non-farm sector as there is little potential in the agricultural sector to generate additional employment opportunities. The number of non-farm workers is increasing continuously in Punjab. In the non-farm sector, most of the regular jobs are being created in manufacturing and services. The non-manufacturing sector is mainly creating casual employment opportunities. In this background, the present paper examines the poverty status of the rural non-farm workers in Punjab. Using a sample of 659 households from the three districts of Punjab, the study reveals that about 19 percent of the non-farm workers live below the poverty line and 5.27 percent are extremely poor. The incidence of poverty is higher among the SC households than other castes. The workers, who are employed in casual jobs, are more prone to poverty. The greatest proportion of those living below the poverty line can be found in the case of the workers employed in brick kilns and in electronics repair works. About 37 percent of those working as construction workers, loaders in the grain market or in MGNREGS, are living below the poverty line. All of the wage workers in these three categories are poor and vulnerable. The proportion of non poor workers increases and that of living below the poverty line declines with the increase in the level of education and increase in the size of land ownership.

Impact of SAFAR Air Quality Forecasting Framework and Advisory Services in Reducing the Economic Health Burden of India

The economic loss attributable to air pollution and associated disease burden is increasing in polluted megacities all over the globe; Indian megacities are no exception. India has launched the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) framework to provide air pollution health advisories well in advance through various outreach activities. We hereby estimate the economic benefit of SAFAR outreach attributed to prevention by intervention through an early warning based on a probabilistic scenario adopted in this work for the top two megacities of India, namely, Delhi and Pune, for the period 2011-2012 to 2019-2020 and 2014-2015 to 2019-2020 respectively. This study considers the cost-saving in pulmonary (Asthma, COPD, etc.) and other related diseases linked to air pollution. Results show that the annual average total cost of all diseases in Pune and Delhi is INR 9,480 million and INR 76,940 million respectively. We found that the total annual treatment cost of Allergic rhinitis OPD treatment cost was the highest (INR 14,490 Million) followed by asthma (INR 10,010 Million), and COPD (INR 5,140 Million) in Delhi during the year 2012. In Pune, annual treatment costs of Allergic Rhinitis, COPD and Asthma were INR 3,590, 890 and 710 Million respectively during the year 2015. SAFAR framework can make average annual savings of ≃INR 10,960 million in Delhi and ≃INR 1,000 million in Pune in the health sector, even if only 5% of the total affected sick population takes advantage of its services. Looking at the huge economic benefits, it is envisaged that the SAFAR framework model may be replicated in many more cities along with other mitigation measures rigorously.

Perceived Impacts of Climate Change on Economic Activities and Adaptation Strategies: A Case Study from Cold Desert of Ladakh, India

This paper aims at identifying the perception of local indigenous Peoples' living in the cold desert area of Nubra valley (Ladakh), India, on climate variability resulting in extreme events such as floods and cloudbursts and their impacts on various economic activities such as agricultural productivity, land degradation, soil erosion, water availability, and forest resources. It also aims to ascertain the vulnerability of the key sectors such as forest, agriculture and water sources, and local adaptation strategies to adapt to climate variability and extreme events. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select the sample size. The study is based on the primary data and information collected from 288 sample households in three blocks i.e., Diskit, Panamik, and Turtuk through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and PRI tools. Study findings revealed that more than 90 percent of overall households' respondents of three blocks observed that temperature has been increased and low rainfall/snowfall over the last three decades. The result showed that the majority of respondents admitted that land degradation, severe soil erosion and shortage of water, low agricultural productivity, and decline in forest resources are major climate related problems due to low rainfall/snowfall, increase temperature, and natural disasters. To alleviate these problems, local people have implemented various adaptation strategies such as mixed farming, more plantations of trees, organic farming, and changing crop patterns. The policy recommendations for appropriate adaptation strategies are in consideration with the knowledge of local indigenous peoples and their perception of climate change. The study could be helpful to policymakers to design appropriate adaptation strategies to cope up with the impacts of climate change.

Quantile Regression Analysis of Wage Inequality in West-African Countries

In this paper, we investigate the determinants of wage differences in West Africa while dealing with the problem of sample selection in occupational choice. Using data from Household Living Conditions Surveys from six west-African countries, namely Senegal, Mali, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger between 2010 and 2018, we estimate Heckman's two-stage model with non-linear quantile regression to assess the effect of individual characteristics on wage rates. After correcting for the sample selection effect, we find that education, experience, marital status, and gender are the major determinants of wage in west-African countries. Subsequently, we apply the Oaxaca decomposition, and the results suggest the presence of wage inequity that is not explained by the observable characteristics between women and men. This gender difference plausibly reflects the persistence of the discrimination against women in the labor market in west-African countries.

Can Trade and Remittances Flows Survive COVID-19 in Africa? Evidence from Symmetric Volatility Model

In this study, volatility in trade and remittances flows to Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic for the period 2004M1 to 2020M11 was modeled. The study evaluated the volatility using the symmetric GARCH (1, 1) univariate volatility model. Results revealed that a shock to exports during the COVID-19 pandemic was temporary and its recovery was quick. On the other hand, a shock to remittances was more enduring and persistent; and its variance reverted slowly. The study recommended that policies to promote export, especially of COVID-19 protective gears be implemented while efforts should be made to lower the cost of receiving remittances.

COVID-19 and Socioeconomic Crises in Africa: Overview of the Prevailing Incidents

The study gives an overview of the socio-economic consequences and implications of the COVID-19 outbreak in Africa. While it is common knowledge that the damage caused by the pandemic to the global economy is real, the existing socio-economic crises in Africa could further degenerate. What remains salient is that the huge economic costs would be borne by regions bereft of strong institutional regulatory setup and proactive approach to effectively ameliorate the impact of the outbreak, in both short-run and long-run, to bounce back in relation to the magnitude of the shocks suffered. It is indeed affirmed that in most sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, such resilient measures seem to be absent or non-existent. Given the degree of behavioral responses and attendant vulnerabilities generated, African socio-economic problems may be potentially exacerbated with the majority of the population face severe hardships in the continent, as socio-economic conditions could be worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the immediate policy option for African countries is to address the prevalent health challenge in the continent; strengthen health services for effective restructuring; and put in place well-defined stimulus measures to aid in the resurgence of economic growth. Although the use of good and tested vaccines should be encouraged to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, developed countries’ support, and global coordination and cooperation are essential to curtail the economic damage and to facilitate robust recovery and development trajectory globally.

Youth Aspirations and Expectations of Economic Recovery of Jammu and Kashmir in India after Abrogation of Article 370

The paper intends to explore the perceptions of the youth regarding the economic recovery of Jammu and Kashmir in India after the abrogation of Article 370, and to draw the policy implications for the speedier economic recovery of conflict-ridden regions. The study has been confined to the Jammu region and focused on four selected districts of the Jammu region viz Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. A cluster sampling technique has been used to select respondents from the selected districts. The study has been restricted to the educated youth of selected districts as they represent the hope for the future and they can better interpret economic recovery. The primary data has been collected through a questionnaire survey of the youth of selected districts. A total of 120 educated youth (graduates, postgraduates, research degree holders belonging to different religious groups viz. Hindus and Muslims: 40 each, and Christians and Sikhs: 20 each) have been selected based on their approximate proportional representation in the total population. Data has been analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The paper reveals that economic recovery requires significant development of businesses and local economies. Young population is the heartbeat and energetic force for economic development. Therefore, their participation in economic recovery is vital to give right direction to the economy specifically since the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The developmental aspirations of the youth focused on agriculture reforms, investment in manufacturing, transportation, health, education, infrastructure, banking, and transparency in all development planning and implementation. Youth education and training and self-employment including the development of tourism, horticulture and handicrafts sectors were prioritized for economic recovery post-abrogation of Article 370. Addressing persistently high unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has been ranked as one of the top priority areas for economic recovery. There is a need to rejuvenate the sick industrial units for creating sustained employment opportunities for youth. Tourism, handicrafts and horticulture sectors should be developed to reduce poverty, promote exports and generate employment for the youth through substantial funding from the Central government and private sector.

Inter-District Variations in Agricultural Production and Productivity of Jammu Division of Jammu & Kashmir

Agriculture and its allied activities are the main sources of livelihood in India. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), a union territory of India is also an agrarian state. More than 70 percent of its population is directly engaged in this sector. Geographically, J&K lies in the Himalayan region and has a huge variation in agro-climate diversity. The climate here varies from sub-tropical in the Jammu division to temperate in the Kashmir division. These climatic variations make it suitable for performing varied cultivation. The productivity of all the major crops in the region has increased manifold since the green revolution but now it is more or less stagnating. Hence, it is useful to examine the productivity of major crops in the union territory. The present paper is an attempt to highlight the overall agricultural production of major food grains crop of J&K from 2000-2001 to 2018-2019. The main focus of the paper is to analyzes the variations in agricultural production and productivity of major crops at the district level in the Jammu division for the period 2010-2011 to 2016-2017. The study is based on secondary data and is empirical in nature. The co-efficient of Variation technique has been used to find out the variations in production and productivity of agricultural crops of the jammu division of J&K. The results show that the overall agricultural production of food grains crops in the region increases over years.It also shows tremendous variations in the production and productivity of the different crops across districts. These variations indicate that there is a need to adopt some specific strategies at the district level for the sustainable development of agricultural growth in the state.

How Do Marginal and Small Farmers Perceive the Impacts of Climate Change on Livelihoods? A Case Study from Jammu Region, India

This study investigated the perceived impacts of climate change on livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in Jammu region, India. The objectives of the study have been to analyze the impacts of climate change on crop farming and livestock rearing by marginal and small farmers in study area, to understand socio-economic implications of climate change impact on livelihoods, and to draw policy implications for ameliorating the livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in changed climatic conditions. The study is confined to irrigated and non-irrigated areas in Jammu and Rajouri districts of Jammu region. The study is based on primary data collected from household survey using pre-tested structured questionnaires. A total of 600 farm households were selected using the multistage sampling technique. The study findings revealed that while climate change was negatively affecting livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in both irrigated and non-irrigated agriculture through reduced crop and animal yields, crop damages, crop and animal diseases, weed infestations and pest/insect attacks on crops, the adverse impacts were experienced by comparatively more marginal and small farmers in non-irrigated agriculture. The study further noted finer variations in socio-economic impacts from households to households which can be attributed to their involvement in diverse livelihood strategies providing them with increased income security. For enhancing their resilience to climate change, the governments should-create more research capacity to enhance development and timely supply of hybrid seeds and varieties at subsidized rates; strengthen agriculture extension services to give them knowledge, information and technical support; improve animal health service delivery system with improved knowledge and technique to prevent and timely treatment of climate change-induced disease outbreaks among animals; introduce small irrigation schemes like drip irrigation and sprinkle irrigation schemes in non-irrigated areas and promote rainwater harvesting technique for irrigation in dry periods.

Impact of Climate Change on Marginal and Small Farmers' Livelihood and their Adaptation Strategies-A Review

The objective of this paper has been to review the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of marginal (those cultivating less than one-hectare land) and small farmers (cultivating between 1 and 2 hectares land) and their coping and adaptation strategies enhancing their resilience to climate change. This paper reviewed literature including peer-reviewed papers, reports, and books related to climate change impacts on agriculture and livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in developing countries. The findings reveal that marginal and small farmers are vulnerable to climate change and variability, on account of their marginalized status, direct reliance on agriculture for their livelihoods, and inadequate resources and capacity to deal with adversities. The review found that climate change is negatively impacting livelihoods of marginal and small farmers by reducing crop and animal yields, crop failures, crop and animal diseases outbreak, livestock mortality, shortage of pasture and water for livestock all of which eventuates in reduced farm income, food insecurity and a downward spiral in social and economic indicators like health, education, and wellbeing. Although marginal and small farmers are using diverse coping and adaptation strategies some of which are climate-smart as well, they are constrained by several social, economic, and institutional factors which reveal the need for planned or policy-driven adaptation practices. The literature suggests mainstreaming adaptation into development planning and programs as the best option to help farmers in their adaptation practices and also to avoid working at cross-purposes but more judiciously use of resources.