Resource

MANDI II Agricultural Livelihood Diaries: Income Generation

Through the Walmart Foundation-funded Market Access eNabled by Digital Innovation in India Phase 2 (MANDI II) project, Grameen Foundation USA (GFUSA) and its Indian subsidiary, Grameen Foundation India (GFI) (together, Grameen), received funding to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and West Bengal, India. A series of monthly surveys (“diaries”) were completed with 30 FPO member households with one man and one woman from two FPOs in UP—AKPCL and Bankelal Bio Energy—resulting in 60 individuals interviewed. In addition to quantitative data collected over the twelve months of study, findings from the third and tenth surveys were leveraged to understand drudgery and harmful tradeoffs of working in agriculture among study participants.

Findings from the 12 surveys reveal that agriculture is the primary income-generating activity (IGA), but many households rely on diversified income streams, often at least two forms of income, including animal husbandry, supplying agricultural and non-agricultural labor to others. While men are more economically active, women provide constant economic support either on the farm as labor or in their own income generation. This income diversification helps households face the impacts of household expenses, adverse weather conditions, limited access to government support, and fluctuating market prices.

Men are often viewed as the primary providers, spending considerable time on both their own and others' farms, with a focus on external income-generating activities. Women actively seek ways to manage household expenses during lean seasons, showcasing resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Men work approximately eight hours per day in income generation whereas women work approximately three hours per day. Both genders express a strong commitment to agricultural work, reflecting pride in their contributions to food security.

There is a willingness among farmers to adopt mechanization and new farming practices as potential solutions to enhance productivity and reduce labor costs. Despite their pride in contributing to the nation's food security, the vulnerability to and the emotional toll of financial hardship is evident among the farming households.