Farm and Non-Farm Livelihood Activities: Socioeconomic Profile, Perceived Benefits and Constraints among Rural Households in Zunheboto District, Nagaland, North-Eastern India

Abstract

The present study examined the socioeconomic characteristics, perceived benefits, major constraints and suggestions for strengthening rural livelihoods among rural households in Zunheboto district, Nagaland, India. The study was conducted in the Ghathashi and Akuhaito blocks, from which three villages were selected in each block, with 15 respondents selected from each village, resulting in a total sample of 90 respondents. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a structured interview schedule and analysed using frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents were above 50 years of age (58.88%), married (83.33%), members of nuclear families (94.44%), male (83.33%), and literate (91.11%). Small landholdings were predominant (46.67%), while semi-pucca houses were the most common type of dwelling (60.00%). Respondents perceived non-farm activities positively, particularly in terms of employment generation (91.11%) and income diversification (77.78%). However, lack of finance (77.78%), marketing problems (67.78%), and road inaccessibility (51.11%) were identified as the major constraints to non-farm activities. For farm activities, low remuneration (74.44%), lack of proper storage (70.00%), and the difficult nature of farming (65.56%) were the major problems reported. The main suggestions included providing financial support, training, awareness programmes, and better linkages with government schemes and banks.