A Case Study of Drought and its Impact on Rural Livelihood in Meghalaya

Both male and female counterparts of the household contribute to farming activities and livelihood. Drought affects both men and women but with different consequences according to their roles and responsibilities. Targeting interventions according to the gender roles is deemed imperative. Farmers are aware about the drought, and its negative impact on pests and disease incidence in crops, weed infestation and decrease in number of livestock, decrease in yield of meat and milk, decrease in yield of rice and other crops. Farmers are unaware of the coping strategies and mechanisms which they could adopt to reduce the risks and effects of drought due to lesser accessibility to external inputs and technologies. Site specific research and study is required to find out the suitable technology for prevailing cropping pattern and other means of livelihoods such as livestock, poultry, piggery etc.