Comparative research on the economic profile of the tribal and non-tribal farming communities in Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Chhattisgarh state is predominated by the farming communities mostly practicing farming in general and rice farming in particular using different methods and practices. Out of the total demography, more than one third of the state population is constituted by the tribes. These sizeable chunks of the society are usually concentrated in the north and southern part of the state having wide range of forest lands. The non tribes are residing considerably in the central part of the state. Both of these communities are practicing farming but the returns are varying due to which their economic status shows wide difference. With this hypothesis the present study was carried out in the Tribal and non-tribal areas of Chhattisgarh state, relied on the responses collected from the 240 tribal and same no of non-tribal farm families. The findings also reported that both of these communities were practicing agriculture mostly in small to medium size of land holdings but the further details shows that non tribal farming communities are significantly better in terms of income and socio-economic status. Such situation indicates for immediate strategical interventions especially for the tribal farmers so as to minimize the gap and equitable development. Also, it is evident that the status of marginal farming communities is at par irrespective of communities so they also need special attention for any further extension planning and technology dissemination activities.