Exploring the behavior of seasonal agricultural migrants in the Rarh region of West Bengal, India

Abstract

The present paper examines the recent behavioral change of seasonal agricultural migrants in West Bengal. In this context, the present study tries to identify the recent change of destination regions of rural out-migrants in contrast with past migration history. The study is primarily conducted based on information collected from door to door surveys through a structured questionnaire. The logistic regression model has been fitted to analyze the effect of determinant factors on rural male outmigration in the study area. This study identifies how behavior of seasonal agricultural migrants has changed with the ascension of time and space. Shifting routes of seasonal migrants identified with the help of changing migration flow using GIS techniques. The study reveals that due low wage rate in the agricultural sector, rural people are not willing to move toward the past agricultural destination region such as Barddhaman and adjoining areas as agricultural workers. The young males migrate toward new migration destinations areas like western and south India, and the majority of them amalgamated other than agricultural activities. On the contrary, the high wage rate at urban center allures young males is the leading reason behind the recent shifting of migration destination from an agricultural region to industrially developed urban areas. The young male folk moved out of the villages in searching of other than agricultural activities because of being the woeful presence of opportunity in non-agricultural activities in the countryside.