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Rural vulnerability context and livelihood challenges in serchhip district Mizoram, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Social Work, ICFAI University Mizoram, India

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 9, Issue (4), Pages 45-50, October,14 (2020)

Abstract

Assessing vulnerability context is one of the important tasks in any livelihood study which is also included in the Sustainable Livelihood Framework. The present study analysed the vulnerability context of two selected villages of Serchhip district Mizoram by using participatory method of seasonality diagram. Services and opportunities map was also used to assess the context. The livelihood challenges and coping strategies was also explored using semi structured interview schedule. The findings of seasonality diagram demonstrated that rainfall accompanied by landslides and transportation problem is the main factors for rural vulnerability. Regarding the livelihood challenges, the main challenges described were irregularity of income, low price of crops, poor health, lack of livelihood options, inadequate human labour, poor quality of agricultural land and geographical location of village; long distance of agricultural land, educational expenditure for children, consumption of crops by animals and poor conditions of road respectively. The coping strategies stated were hard working, praying, economising, borrowing, withdraw money from savings, assistance from relatives, hiring labour and plan for new livelihood activities respectively. These challenges and coping strategies were all related to agriculture where it needs special attention and consideration in promoting rural livelihood. The study offered recommendations like promoting off farm activities, credit linkages, better infrastructures, health care services and environmental protection.

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