Abstract

Background/Objectives: The present study conducted in the District of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, has examined the impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on the socio economic status of participants.

Methods/Statistical analysis: The study was based on the information gathered from 80 households of four Gram Panchayats of an average performing block in the district. Twelve socio-economic indicators were evaluated using three point scale to assess the socio-economic impact of the scheme. The average days of employment in MGNREGA scheme observed to decrease slightly from 59.8 days in 2007-08 to 51.9 days in year 2013-14 and significant increase in 2013-14 over 2007-08 was noticed in socio-economic indicators namely, annual per capita food, non food, health and, per child education expenditures. Debts were found to increase along with asset possession though per capita saving declined. The value of socio-economic index indicated that in the initial years of implementation of the programme, about 36 per cent of the beneficiary households were in poor socio-economic strata which decreased to 12 per cent in 2013-14, while beneficiary households in good socio-economic strata increased from 30 per cent to55 per cent.

Application/Improvements: Study suggested that implementing agencies should make conscious efforts to increase the person days employment in the area to meet the minimum specified target of employment under MGNREGA and also the scheme should be continued in future and expanded to other regions of the country involving more families under its ambit.

Keywords

Full Text

Abstract

Background/ Objectives: The study was conducted to compare the structure of two principal markets of fruits and vegetables in Uttarakhand and to assess the marketing efficiency, price spread and farmer’s share in consumer’s rupee for sample commodities arriving in these markets.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Out of total 16 functional fruits and vegetables markets of Uttarakhand, two principal markets i.e. Haldwani from Kumaon and Dehradun from Garhwal were selected for the study. Major fruits and vegetables were selected on the basis of quantity of arrival and continuity of arrival throughout the year. Performances of markets were compared on the basis of marketing cost, marketing margins, marketing efficiency index, Price spread and Producer’s share in consumer’s rupee.

Findings: The proportion of marketing costs incurred by producers ranged between 38 to 58 per cent of the total marketing costs of different commodities. Considering marketing efficiency index, Dehradun was found more efficient in marketing potato, tomato and cabbage while Haldwani market was more efficient in apple marketing. The price spread in case of apple was very high (105 to 116%), while it was lowest in case of potato. The producer’s share in consumer’s rupee varied between 32 to 59 per cent for selected commodities and was highest for potato (about 58.81%) in Dehradun market. On the other hand the producer’s share in consumer’s rupee in case of apple was lowest in Dehradun market.

Application/Improvements: There existed wide variations in the share of producer in consumer’s rupee (38 to 59%) as well as high Price spread. Therefore, there is need to regularize the activities of marketing middlemen so that these can be minimised.

Keywords

Full Text

References