Impact of MGNREGA on Agricultural Employment Pattern in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya

In the state of Meghalaya, MGNREGA was initially implemented in the West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts in 2006. It is argued that implementation of MGNREGS has resulted in large-scale diversion of agricultural labour to the non-farm sector. This paper has analysed the impact of MGNREGA on agricultural employment pattern in West Gao Hills with special emphasis on supply-demand gap of agricultural labour. The West Garo Hills district has shown the highest number of households who were issued jobcards, who have demanded employment and who were provided employment during the study period in Meghalaya. The study has revealed a negative rate of growth of hired labour and total labour engaged in agriculture since the start of MGNREGA and a positive CAGR regarding supply-demand gap of hired agricultural labour (5.4% for male and 2.93% for female agricultural labourers). Thus, the farmers are facing severe problems in terms of the availability of agricultural labour and this may show a negative impact on agricultural production and food security in future.