Impact of out-migration on income, food consumption and inequity an economic study of farm households in hill district of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand

Due to subsistence nature of agriculture and in the absence of suitable alternatives for livelihood, migration from the hills of Uttarakhand is continuously increasing. Present study assessed the impact of out-migration on household food expenditure and equity in income and consumption. Primary data were collected from 90 migrant and 60 non-migrant households in Pithoragarh district. About 84% of migrant households were above poverty line whereas majority of the non-migrant households (62%) were below poverty line. Gini coefficient for income was 0.64 for migrant households and 0.71 for non-migrant households. Poverty status, presence of migrant member, larger family size, higher income and proximity of households to district headquarters had significant positive influence on household monthly food expenditure.