Livelihood Challenges and Transitions: Evaluating the Effects of Land Acquisition in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Land acquisition for national development projects, such as road infrastructure building, urban expansion, and industrialization, is often positioned as a necessary step for economic growth. The purpose of this paper to identify the challenges faced by marginalized groups (e.g., women and indigenous people) during and after land acquisition and to measure the shift in livelihood practices, especially in agriculture and non-agriculture sectors. A case study of the livelihood conditions of a sample of 330 farmers having different land-holding sizes, residing in the selected of nearest village to the connected to Purvanchal Expressway in Azamgarh District. The study showed that there have been considerable change in occupation structure, income, land cultivated, number of households owning livestock, and total livestock numbers of various affected household. The government should amend the policy because most people will not be satisfied with compensated money.  In particular, its impacts on agriculture-dependent families, landless labourers, and those engaged in traditional occupations are analysed. The research found that after the acquisition, many families faced unemployment, income instability, and breakdown of social structure. Although in some cases compensation and the possibility of urbanisation offered new economic options, they were not sufficient for the wider community. Land acquisition has disrupted the traditional agriculture-based livelihoods of the affected families. The degradation of cultivable land has not only reduced production capacity but also forced villagers to look for alternative livelihoods. Some migrated to urban areas, while others started working in construction, the unorganised sector or small businesses.