Non-farm employment: A household level study in West Bengal

The scope of employment and its pattern is an important indicator of development of the livelihoods of the rural people. In single cropping pattern region, particularly in jungal mahal area of Paschim Medinipur district, non-farm sector provides a larger proportion of employment to the inhabitants. The share of rural non-farm workers (RNFW) to total estimated workers of sample households is found to be higher than that of agricultural workers in 50 percent villages of total sample villages. Rural male NFW dominate all sectors except household manufacturing sector. The workers of landless households and households with relatively low land holding are absorbed much more in rural non-farm activity. The participation in rural non-farm activity is affected by several factors. The factors like land insufficiency, poverty, heredity and high earnings are much more important than other factors like irrigation problems, transport facilities, role of government and urban linkage etc.