Page 227 - SST Class 06

corporates. Cities have the richest and the rich farmers, as they don’t have any alterna-
poorest people and the gap in urban liveli- tive way to earn money and they come in
hoods is shocking and unfortunate. As plenty as ‘cheap labour’ for the fields.
students of civics and responsible citizens, 2. Farmers : This group consist of villagers
we must work towards providing the under- who carry out farming activities in their own
privileged with basic necessities and sup- lands. They sow seeds, weed and harvest
port. crops by themselves and also reap the

RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN INDIA
Have you ever been to a village? In a village, it is
interesting to see farmers eating the crops they
grow and drinking milk from the cows they milk.
We can also see other activities like women
making butter and baskets to sell and men who
selfish. But, what do rural livelihoods mean? Let
us explore this topic.
Rural areas are those areas that do not have
modern facilities and the population is way lower
profits themselves. However, eighty percent
than in cities. Livelihoods mean the type of jobs
of these farmers also have very small land
and lifestyles people lead to earn a living.
holdings and need to depend on other
Types of Rural Livelihoods
sources of income like having a poultry or
1. Agriculture Labourers : Agriculture dairy business. To earn enough money to
labourers are those people in rural areas barely survive, these farmers borrow money
who work as labour in the fields and get from money lenders for seeds, fertilisers,
daily wages. They comprise two-fifths of the etc. and are at great risk of being in debt.
total rural population in India. These This is why we hear of so many unfortunate
labourers do not own land of their own, news of farmer suicides in India.
thus are forced to work in the lands of richer 3. Farmers with Other Sources of Income :
farmers. Even if some labourers own land, it The farmers who do not earn enough from
is extremely small and not enough for the their land or by working on other rich
family. These workers are sadly exploited by
farmer’s lands, need other sources of income.

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