Livelihood Security Index Research Articles

Food security through employment generation in safari parks of Bangladesh: Empirical study from socio-economic perspectives

This study focused on the role of safari parks as a sustainable source of income and employment to ensure food security of the corresponding employees. The survey was accomplished from two safari parks among the employees through a pretested questionnaire using simple random sampling techniques. Descriptive and inferential statistics was applied to evaluate current situation of different socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. Different security dimension say, Economic Security Index (ESI), Health Security Index (HSI), Food Security Index (FSI) and Educational Security Index (EDUSI) was constructed to create the ultimate overall Livelihood Security Index (LSI). Again, simultaneous equation system was used to see the interrelation and amount of influence of different variables that affect livelihood status of the people. Three Stage Least Square (3SLS) estimation procedure was used to estimate the parameters of the equations. The study revealed that overall livelihood of the household was positively changed where food security was significantly influenced by the mode of employment. In order to sustainable income generation and employment opportunities, it is needed to boost the capacity of the geoparks and awareness building initiatives. Government can take initiative for promoting geotourism through infrastructural development so that different stakeholders will take initiatives to create a number of local jobs such as shop keeping, hotel and restaurants, transportations, guides, etc. for sustainable economic development through Safari parks.

Assessment of Sustainability and Priorities for Development of Indian West Coast Region: An Application of Sustainable Livelihood Security Indicators

The measurement of sustainability in terms of social, economic, and ecological indicators significantly influences the achievement of sustainable development goals. This paper presents a sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) by selecting 20 indicators and positions them within the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainable development for the Indian west coast. These indicators were first normalized and, using estimated weights, indices were computed. Important indicators were shortlisted by a two-step process, namely, principal component analysis and linear and nonlinear weighted scores. The results revealed that indicators such as forest cover, net sown area, milk availability, groundwater availability, land productivity, food grain availability, rural road connectivity, villages electrified, and land degradation were found to be important indicators. Kerala was found as the most developed state followed by Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa in linear and non-linear weighted scoring. The study identifies the Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kachchh, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts as the districts with the highest priority for development through investment and policy interventions. The study concludes that the west coast region, in terms of its sustainable development levels, improved significantly with a focus on low-SLSI districts by considering ecological, economic, and social dimensions in planning for technological development and dissemination.

Development of Sustainable Livelihood Security Index for Different Agro-Climatic Zones of Uttar Pradesh, India

The present study has attempted to examine the livelihood status of nine agro-climatic zones (ACZs) in the State of Uttar Pradesh in India. The United National Development Programme’s (UNDP) methodology has adopted to develop a practical, innovative and ready-to-use sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) for different ACZs. A total of 84 rational indicators were employed that covered seven dimensions of livelihood security, i.e. infrastructure security, agricultural sustainability, economic security, social security, food security, environmental security, and health security. The quintile estimation was also employed to identify low productive districts with reference to Uttar Pradesh. The performance of ACZs in terms of estimated indices for different dimensions of SLSI has also compared and ranked across developmental indicators. Study findings revealed that Bundelkhand zone has the lowest livelihood security than that of other ACZs. Least access of basic amenities, least social and health security, and higher reliance on agriculture for livelihoods were the main influencing indicators responsible for lower livelihood security in Bundelkhand zone. At the same time, better infrastructural and health facilities and least reliance on agriculture for livelihoods were main contributing indicators for the highest livelihood security in Vindhyan Zone. The present study’s findings also matched with the results of studies conducted by the Planning Commission and NITI Aayog. The policy insights from the analysis suggest the need for prioritising vulnerable and less developed ACZs to arrest regional imbalances, prevent overexploitation and to leverage the unutilised potential of the districts.

Livelihood Security of Women Agricultural Labourers in Erode District of Tamilnadu

Aim: The main aims of the study is to identify the socio-economic characteristics of women agricultural labourer, to identify the determinants linked with economic, food, health, edification and empowerment as dissimilar domains of livelihood security of women agricultural labourers and to estimate the determinants of livelihood security of women agricultural labourers in Erode District of Tamil Nadu. Methods/Statistical analysis: The research has curbed in to a sample of 140 women agricultural workers households were selected from four villages of Bhavani taluk of Erode District in Tamil Nadu. A simple percentage analysis has been employed to identify the socio-economic characteristics and Multiple Regression equation method has fitted to the data to explore the effects of the explanatory variables on livelihood security of women agricultural labourers. Findings: Out of the 140 sample women agricultural labour households selected for the study, vast majority of the households registered as nuclear type of families; 52.86 percent with 2-4 members; 62.14 percent of the women agricultural workers were in the age cluster of 30 – 60 years; 33.57 percent of the respondents had education at secondary level; 33.57 percent labourers income falls in the income group of Rs.25000-Rs.50000/-,45.00 percent of the households selected for the study were with the asset group valued below Rs.2.5 lakhs. There was positive relationship of the explanatory variables with composite livelihood security index of agricultural women workers. Conclusions: Government intervention through legislation, planning and implementation must be stepped up to provide greater opportunity for the sustainable development of women livelihood security at all levels, so that the discriminatory practices of women and the gender related issues against women would be addressed.

The nexus between land acquisition and household livelihoods in the Northern region of Ghana

It is an undeniable fact that large scale land acquisition for agricultural production and urban development in Ghana is on the upsurge. The receiving end of the effect of land acquisition on household livelihoods are those living on or proximal to the acquired lands. Using primary data collected from four districts in the northern region of Ghana, this study estimated household livelihood security (HLS) index for households living in communities with and without large scale land acquisition. HLS index for the two groups were estimated using household livelihood framework. Welch’s t-test was used to test the hypothesis that communities without land acquisition have greater HLS index than their counterparts in communities with land acquisition. Also, conditional recursive mixed-process (CMP) was used to estimate the effects of large scale land acquisition on HLS index. The findings evinced that food security index, economic security index, sanitation security index, water security index, health security index, shelter security index and social security index for households living in communities without land acquisition is significantly higher than their counterparts in communities with land acquisition. The results also revealed that land acquisition has significant negative effects on the livelihood of households. It is therefore recommended that pragmatic steps should be taken to sensitize the release of land by allodial land title holders to buyers. Allodial title holders of land should pay appropriate and reasonable compensation to usufruct title holders of land to minimise the effects of land acquisition on household livelihoods. Also, compensation or alternative employment should be provided to the community members for loss of land-based activities and livelihoods.

Development and application of dairy-based sustainable livelihood security index in the districts of West Bengal, India: A tool for dairy development planning

The concept of sustainable livelihood security has wider generic meaning pertaining to sustainable development to ensure ecologically secure, economically efficient, socially equitable and sufficiency in infrastructure in the society. Dairying provides sufficient income to the farming community of West Bengal. Therefore, sustainability of dairy-based livelihood in the districts of West Bengal was assessed to find out necessary interventions to be required to ensure sustainable livelihood security of dairy farmers. An exclusively district level Dairy-based Sustainable Livelihood Security Index was developed underline the principle of Human Development Index of United Nations Development Programme by using 17 indicators divided into four sub-indices i.e. Ecological Security index, Economic Efficiency Index, Infrastructural Sufficiency Index and Social Equity Index. The overall mean value of Dairy-based Sustainable Livelihood Security Index was found to be 0.38 with a range from 0.12 (Purulia district) to 0.59 (Darjeeling district), indicated the sustainability status was low. In case of sub indices, Infrastructural Sufficiency Index (0.49) and Ecological Security Index (0.45) were stronger indices than other two indices, Economic Efficiency Index (0.32) and Social Equity Index (0.29) which signified the very lower level sustainability. Districts were categorized for better interpretation into four based on overall Sustainable Livelihood Security Index score as very low (less than 0.3), low (0.3–0.54), medium (0.55–0.70) and high (greater than 0.70). Districts namely Maldah, Uttar Dinajpur, Purulia were having very lower level sustainability in dairy-based livelihood. But, it was moderately sustainable in the districts of Darjeeling, Nadia and Hooghly. Hence, Dairy-based Sustainable Livelihood Security Index (SLSI) is not only highlighting the state of sustainability of dairy-based livelihood but also emphasized the area where necessary policy matters to be intervened for improvement of livelihood of dairy farmers.

Impact of National Rural Livelihood Mission on Livelihood Security of Rural Poor - A Propensity Score Matching Approach

This paper empirically examines the effect of participation in National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) on the livelihood security of rural poor. Data are collected from 220 respondents (including both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries) through a structured questionnaire from Sonepur district of Odisha (India). A livelihood security index (LSI) is constructed to capture the livelihood security of the respondents taking habitat security, health security, food security, and economic security into account. Impact of the programme is estimated through propensity score matching (PSM) method. The study finds a positive and significant effect of participation in the programme on livelihood security.

Livelihood security of agricultural labour households in rainfed region of north-Karnataka – An economic analysis

A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (social and material resources) and activities used by households for means of living. A livelihood index has been developed for agricultural labour households, based on the primary data. Six different sub-indices obtained are indicators of Economic, Food, Health, Education, Habitat and Social network Status for the rainfed regions of Bijapur district. Finally, a composite livelihood security index has been developed which indicates the livelihood status of migration and non-migration labour households in the study area. It is found that, migration households were moderately secured in terms of food security, economic security, education security and social network security. It was poor in case of health and habitat security. The composite livelihood security index (0.791) indicated that migration households were moderately secured in terms of livelihood. Non-migration labour households, the composite livelihood security index (0.645) indicated that households were less secured. In terms of food security and economic security, moderately secured and highly secured in education. In terms of health, habitat, social networks security non-migration labour households were less secured.

Livelihood Security in Rural India: Reflections from some Selected Indicators

India is rapidly emerging as a major economy of the world but the spatial and social diffusion of economic progress has been limited, leading to a continued shortage of livelihood means to a huge population. The rural India, home to nearly 69 per cent of total population, is characterised by inadequate nutrition, safe water, housing & sanitation, health care, education and economic means. Improvements in living standards have occurred consequent upon the efforts of governments to provide adequate and sustainable access to all livelihood means yet several gaps have remained. This article highlights the status of livelihood security including the various domain securities across states and union territories (UTs). By utilising the secondary data from various sources, a composite livelihood security index has been computed from six domain security indices through standardisation of 23 odd variables and equalising the contribution of each indicator through an average weighted approach by adopting methods of Human Development Index (HDI) calculation. The analyses reveal that there are widespread regional differences among states and UTs in different domains of livelihood. Results illustrate that Chandigarh (0.792), Goa (0.759), Lakshadweep (0.756) and Kerala (0.752) have high livelihood security while Dadra & Nagar Haveli (0.472), Jharkhand (0.475), Chhattisgarh (0.492), Madhya Pradesh (0.502), and Bihar (0.503) are lagging behind in livelihood security. This study suggests the need to evaluate the status of basic necessities of life and immediate policy interventions for enhancing living conditions in poor performing states and UTs.

ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD SECURITY: A CASE STUDY OF ALLAPUR S RURBAN CLUSTER

This study shows the current scenario of sustainable livelihood security index of Allapur S Rurban cluster, located in the newly born Telengana State. Calculating economic efficiency index, ecological security index and social equity index and eventually Sustainable Livelihood Security index (SLSI) were carried out at the village levels using spatial and non-spatial data. Normalisation of the selected indicators were first done and then calculated. Results from the study indicate that the study area possesses a very low SLSI with only Narayanpur and Odandapur village which cover 11.13 per cent of the total geographical area of the cluster as sustainable and secure villages. 59.58 per cent of the geographical area and 65.83 per cent of the population are moderately sustainable category. Whereas, eight villages which accounted for 27.37 per cent population of the total cluster are under less sustainable and very less sustainable category. There is an urgent need to reorient development programmers and carry out priority-wise development investments into these vulnerable villages to provide resources and opportunities to ameliorate their ecological security, economic efficiency and social equity which further sustainable livelihood security.

Impact of Climatic and Non-climatic Factors on Sustainable Livelihood Security in Gujarat State of India: A Statistical Exploration

The present study estimates the district-wise sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) in Gujarat using Composite Z-score technique during 2000-2011. It considers SLSI as an integrated index of ecological security index (ESI), economic efficiency index (EEI) and social equity index (SEI). Accordingly, it applies linear and non-linear regression models to measure the impact of different climatic factors (i.e., maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation) in winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons on SLSI, ESI, EEI and SEI. It shows that SLSI, ESI, EEI and SEI are varied across districts due to high diversity in socio-economic and ecological factors, and climatic change in Gujarat. Empirical results based on linear and non-linear regression models imply that climatic factors in different weather seasons have a negative and significant impact on SLSI, ESI, EEI and SEI. So, sustainable livelihood security (SLS) would be in an alarming position due to climate change, urbanization, population growth and industrialization in Gujarat. Thus, policy makers need to adopt an effective and conducive policy to mitigate the adverse effects of those factors which have a negative impact on sustainable livelihood security. Hence, this study provides several practical and viable policy suggestions to increase the SLS in Gujarat and other Indian states.

Policy design of national rural livelihood mission (NRLM) - A critical assessment

National Rural Livelihood mission (NRLM) is a poverty alleviation programmeintroduced by Government of India (GOI) to provide sustainable livelihood to rural poor. Theprogramme adopts a mixed theory approach (both cyclical perspective and individual deficiencytheory) in addressing poverty. The present study empirically examines the effect of mixed theoryapproach on the objectives of NRLM. Data are collected from 200 beneficiaries (of NRLM)through a structured questionnaire from Sonepur district of Odisha (India). A livelihood securityindex (LSI) is constructed to capture the livelihood securities of the respondents taking habitatsecurity, health security, food security and economic security into account. The study finds thatdue to the introduction of mixed theory approach, beneficiaries are lacking behind the facilitiesprovided under the programme. The study further suggests for adopting a single theoryapproach (cyclical perspective) alone to address poverty.

Sustainable livelihoods and rural sustainability in China: Ecologically secure, economically efficient or socially equitable?

Sustainable production and consumption in the rural regions remains a barely tried yet important issue for contributing to rural sustainability these days. In particular, the sustainable livelihood of rural farmers has not been fully investigated for those in rural areas with high agricultural pollution emissions and a poor ecological quality of agricultural production in China. Also affected are farmers with a low living standard and output, or suffer from social inequity. The sustainable livelihood security (SLS) index therefore provides a useful means of identifying the existence of the conditions necessary for sustainable livelihood or sustainable development. Using the fuzzy comprehensive method, this paper aims to assess the level of sustainable livelihood security of China’s provincial farmers and its three components of ecological security, economic efficiency and social equity. A SLS index is established and the entropy weight method used to determine the weight of the indices and analyze spatial distribution. The results indicate that the sustainable livelihood security index and its components vary between provincial regions, with the western provinces being most adversely affected, sustainable livelihood, economic efficiency and social equity being the least secure (or relatively insecure) in the western provinces while economic efficiency is most secure (or relatively secure) in the eastern and middle provinces, and social equity most secure in the eastern provinces. Concluding remarks suggest policies designed to improve the sustainable livelihood security of farmers according to local regional circumstances.

Estimating agricultural sustainability in Gujarat using sustainable livelihood security index

The paper has estimated agricultural sustainability in Gujarat by computing Sustainable Livelihood Security Index (SLSI) for 26 districts of the state using secondary data on various indicators under the ecology, economy and equity heads for the years 2001, 2011 and TE 2013–14. The study has found that in the year 2001, the district Surat (0.584) ranked first in SLSI, while Narmada (0.265) ranked the last. Later in the year 2011, Rajkot (0.589) ranked highest in SLSI, while Porbandar (0.257) ranked the lowest. During the TE 2013–14 too the districts Rajkot and Porbandar maintained their first and last ranks. The paper has suggested some measures for agricultural sustainability in the state in the years to come.

Assessing farm-level agricultural sustainability using site-specific indicators and sustainable livelihood security index: Evidence from Vaishali district, India

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, where two-thirds of the rural community depend on agriculture for their employment. Sustainable agriculture, with its ability to remain productive in the long term, may help ensure food security for communities in India. This article attempts to examine agricultural sustainability among farming communities in Vaishali, India. In order to evaluate agricultural sustainability, we followed the sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) approach, which is characterized by three interacting components indices (ecological security, economic efficiency, and social equity). We collected data concerning the domains of agricultural sustainability from 959 farmers’ households. The analysis revealed that agricultural sustainability among the farmers decreased as the size of land holdings decreased. Nearly one-third of the total sampled farmers had low agricultural sustainability. Regression analysis showed that economic efficiency and social equity influenced the agricultural sustainability. The SLSI approach helped to identify priorities for attaining farmers’ agricultural sustainability.

Development of a sustainable livelihood security model for storm-surge hazard in the coastal areas of Bangladesh

Coastal communities in Bangladesh are at great risk due to frequent cyclones and cyclone induced storm-surges, which damages inland and marine resource systems. In the present research, seven marginal livelihood groups including Farmers, Fisherman, Fry (shrimp) collectors, Salt farmers, Dry fishers, Forest resource extractors, and Daily wage labourers are identified to be extremely affected by storm- surges in the coastal area of Bangladesh. A livelihood security model was developed to investigate the security status of the coastal livelihood system in a participatory approach. In the model, livelihood security consists of five components: (1) Food, (2) Income, (3) Life & health, (4) House & properties, and (5) Water security. Analytical hierarchy process was followed to assess the livelihood security indicators based on respondents’ security options. The model was verified through direct field observation and expert judgment. The Livelihood Security Model yields a Livelihood Security Index which can be used for assessing and comparing the household security level (in %) of different livelihood groups in the storm-surge prone coastal areas. The model was applied with data from two major coastal areas (Cox’s Bazar and Satkhira) of Bangladesh and is applicable to other coastal areas having similar settings.

Prioritising development planning in the Indian semi-arid Deccan using sustainable livelihood security index approach

This paper presents the status of sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) of Karnataka, the most drought prone state in the Southern part of India. Computation of ecological security index, economic efficiency index and social equity index, and finally SLSI were carried out at the district level for the entire state, using empirical data. The selected indicators were first normalised, and then using estimated weights, indices were computed. The results indicate that the state has a very low SLSI with only 27.6% of total geographical area (TGA) and 21.7% of population being placed in the ‘sustainable’ and ‘highly sustainable’ categories (covering 10 districts) while only 34% of the TGA covering six districts falls in the ‘moderately sustainable’ category. The remaining area, confined mostly to the northern parts of the state, comprising 14 districts (51.8% of the state’s TGA) is categorised as ‘less sustainable’ and ‘very less sustainable’ exposing 44.4% (27.14 million) of state’s population to the perils of uncertain rainfall, high soil erosion rates, high social inequality and poor resource use efficiency. There is an urgent need to reorient development programmes and prioritise development investments in these vulnerable districts so that they are provided resources and opportunities to improve their ecological (more forest cover and less soil erosion), economic (higher agricultural productivity) and social (improved health and education facilities and rural infrastructure) status and achieve sustainable levels of livelihood.

Assessing Spatiotemporal Variation in Agricultural Sustainability Using Sustainable Livelihood Security Index: Empirical Illustration from Vaishali District of Bihar, India

This article analyzes spatiotemporal variation in agricultural sustainability in a backward state of Bihar. It creates a sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) for agricultural sustainability and evaluates its existing status at the block level in Vaishali district. The persistently increasing inequality, improper management of resources, natural calamities, and exponential population growth have created a significant threat to the successful development of sustainable agricultural in the study area. SLSI as a composite index of its three components of ecological security index (ESI), economic efficiency index (EEI), and social equity index (SEI) works as a powerful policy tool for identifying the necessary conditions for sustainable development of agriculture in planning and development units of Vaishali district, Bihar. SLSI-based spatiotemporal analysis revealed that there is wide variation in agricultural sustainability and its three aspects (ESI, EEI, and SEI) within blocks during 2000–2003 and 2007–2010. SLSI has also proved to be effective planning instrument for analyzing the performance and changing status of three aspects of sustainable development of agriculture in different blocks of the district. SLSI identified blocks which require immediate attention for sustainable development of agriculture (SDA) and helped to focus the priorities for attaining livelihood security. Thus, SLSI approach can best be utilized for assessing sustainable development of agriculture and creating holistic perspective of environment and socioeconomic development of the region.

Food, Health and Habitat Security of Rural Women in Punjab

Food security is the basic human right and is achieved if adequate food is available and accessible for all individuals at all times to live a healthy and happy life. In gender inequality, women are poorly nourished , have less access to health care and live in poor sanitary and household conditions. The main objectives of the study were: (i) To measure food, health and habitat securities of rural women in Punjab. (ii) To identify the constraints to her welfare The study was carried out in all three soil zones of Punjab. Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Bhatinda district were randomly selected from each soil zone. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was employed. Two blocks from each district and two villages from each block were randomly selected. All the cultivator households were enlisted in three different farm size groups of small, medium and large.100 women respondents from farm and landless categories were selected from each district making a total sample of 300. Primary and secondary data were collected. Components of livelihood security index (LSI) viz. food and nutrition, health, habitat were assessed by indicators selected from CARE USA/Prog. Div/PHLS. Each of the indicators was measured for availability, accessibility, quality and status on a five point ordinal scale. Food security index points to excellent aggregate mean score of 4.63 for farm category and satisfactory score of 3.61 for landless categories. Diet diversity points to satisfactory score for farm categories and poor score of 2.14 for landless categories. Habitat security points to good score of 3.89 for farm size categories and secured equilibrium with index of 2.86 for land less categories.Water availability and accessibility points to a very good index. Other indices for condition of roof, walls, and freedom of mobility show satisfactory score for both categories. Poor indices for number of rooms, floor and kitchen for the landless were the constraints. Health security points to less than satisfactory equilibrium of 2.86 and fragile equilibrium of 2.53 for farm size and landless categories respectively. Access to government hospital was a constraint in all the districts for both the categories and needs to be improved. Hoshiarpur district performed better in all three indices from all the districts studied.

Sustainable livelihood security index in a developing country: A tool for development planning

The paper presents an overview of the existing indicators of development and positions them within the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainable development. It presents empirical evidence of sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) at the district level in Gujarat. SLSI is a composite index having three component indices, i.e. the ecological security index (ESI), the economic efficiency index (EEI), and the social equity index (SEI). It finds that the SLSI based on its simplicity and flexibility, is one of the most comprehensive yet simple indices for measuring long-term livelihood security in rural areas. For instance, the eastern districts of the state, dominated by scheduled tribes’ population have very low EEI and SEI rankings, although they have high ESI ranking. These districts also have very low ranks in gender development index, education index, health index and housing index. Thus, the SLSI not only identifies the general priorities for development but also the nature and types of policies to be pursued in each study unit to enhance livelihood security. The SLSI facilitates consensus among different partisan groups like economists, environmentalists, and egalitarians by balancing their mutual concerns, could provide guidelines for achieving sustainable development. It can function as an educational and a policy tool for promoting a holistic perspective among planners, administrators, and development workers.