Occupational mobility of displaced families: a study of the Panam irrigation project in Gujarat
Gumber, A.K.
Anvesak 19(1/2): 151-173
1989
Document Number: 233851
This paper is based on a comprehensive study of the resettlement of households displaced by the construction of the Panam irrigation dam in Panchmahals district, Gujarat state, India. The paper focuses on the occupational mobility of these households after the displacement. The rehabilitation process resulted in a reduction in the inequality of land ownership in all size classes. The quality of new land was not the same as that of submerged land. Lack of financial position, credit facility and motivation among affected households resulted in: (1) less diversification of economic activities such as dairy development, household industry, and business; (2) low intensification of agriculture though multiple cropping, crop rotation, application of modern inputs and techniques, and irrigation. The alternative for the majority of affected households after displacement was to obtain casual employment in nearby rural or urban areas. This resulted in a higher participation of both females and males in casual employment, which in turn led to a higher dependence on non-agricultural factors.