Diversification in rural livelihood strategies : a macro-level evidence from Jammu and Kashmir

Agricultural sector is predominant in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and provides livelihood to the majority of the population. The overall economic growth of the state depends largely on the progress of agricultural sector, since only a very nominal progress has been achieved in the secondary as well as in the tertiary sectors. It is well recognized that the livelihood of those dependent on agricultural sector is unsustainable which necessitates the creation of supplementary sources to raise it to a sustainable level. Household livelihood diversification is a strategy to minimize risk and uncertainty. In the case of fragile region like Jammu and Kashmir, this strategy is especially important. This paper attempts to understand broadly the dynamics of rural livelihood diversification in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The paper makes use of secondary sources of information to realize the objectives of the study. The findings are that agriculture remains as a dominant livelihood strategy among workers in the state despite the shift to manufacturing and tertiary activities over the period, that is, 1983 to 2004-05. So, it becomes necessary to organize state agriculture in such a manner that the limited land resource is made to yield maximum returns through the application of modern technology. This would increase the well-being of those dependent on agricultural sector for their livelihood. This paper also throws up some issues, which one can delineate further at microlevel. Key Words: Livelihood Diversification, Coping Strategies, Capital Assets, Occupational Structure, Jammu and Kashmir. Jel Classification: Q, Q 00