Can Small Industries Reduce Dependence on Agriculture? Evidence from Rural Households in West Champaran, Bihar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63671/ijsssr.v4i2.604Keywords:
small industries, household industries, agricultural dependence, rural employment, livelihood diversification, West Champaran, BiharAbstract
In rural Bihar, agriculture remains a major source of employment, while opportunities for livelihood diversification can be provided by small and household-based industries. This study examines whether such activities can reduce agricultural occupational dependence in West Champaran, Bihar. Using Census of India 2011 employment data, the study finds that 77.72% of the district's 797,544 main workers were cultivators or agricultural labourers, while 22.28% were in non-agricultural occupations. Household-industry workers accounted for 19,043 workers (2.39%), representing 10.72% of non-agricultural main workers. Agricultural occupational dependence was higher among female workers (81.93%) than male workers (76.58%). According to the findings of the study, small industries can support rural livelihood diversification, but their observed scale in 2011 was too limited to replace agriculture as the main source of employment. Therefore, a complementary strategy combining agricultural development with stronger rural enterprises, skills, finance, infrastructure, and market access is supported by the study.
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