Vol. 11, Special Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
Monica Singh and Sandeep Deshmukh

Abstract:
The socio-economic improvement of the tribal's still remains in question in spite of implementation of many developmental projects. We attempted to make gender analysis and determine livelihoods pattern of the tribal of Palghar. The present study was purposively conducted in Palghar districts of Konkan region in Maharashtra. The study revealed that majority of tribal farm families were illiterate, smallholders, belonged to middle age group and their annual income is ranged from Rs 20,000/- to 30,000/-. Most of the tribal's were not received any sort of training. The activity profile indicated females were significantly contributed in households' task, crop and livestock management than their contour men. Inspite of this, men had more access and control over productive resources like land, immovable assets, market, access to extension programs and subsidies. This indicates gender disparity in tribal farm families. Further, analysis of livelihood pattern tribal indicates that farming especially crop production is primary, wage employment is secondary and forest is tertiary source of livelihood. Subsistence rice farming, cultivating minor millets, pulses; kitchen gardening and backyard poultry were the typical options for their livelihood and nutritional security. Irregular wages, subsistence rainfed farming, water scarcity, lack of knowledge and skill were the main constraints in their livelihood diversification. Generating sustainable income and employment through agribusiness enterprises and crop diversification is priority of tribal farm families.