Socio-economic Implications of Emigration on Farmers’ Household in Eastern Zone of Punjab, India

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to analyse the socio-economic implications of emigration on farmers’ household in the eastern zone of Punjab. The study was based on multi stage random sampling technique. Both primary and secondary data was used to achieve the objectives of the study. Primary data was collected from Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts and secondary data were collected from various online portals during the period 2020-21. Multiple linear regression model and simple descriptive tools were used to calculate the results. The value of dependent variable (factors affecting amount of remittances sent back by emigrants) worked out to be 51.9 per cent. Out of 34 explanatory variables, age, education, status before migration-2, visa type-1, visa type-2 and destination country were negatively statistically significant at various probability levels, however, number of children, status before migration-1, visa type-3, factor responsible for migration-1 and factor responsible for migration-2 were positively statistically significant.  The study found that 90.4 per cent migrants were in the age group of 20 to 35 years and 44.8 per cent of migrants emigrated due to unemployment in their country. The study suggested that the central and state governments should come forward to provide employment opportunities to the youngsters in Punjab according to their qualification.