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Water scarcity and livelihoods in Bihar and West Bengal, India

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  • Thiagu Ranganathan
  • Ram Ranjan
  • Deepa Pradhan

Abstract

Through a cross-sectional survey of 1600 households, we analyse the impact of water scarcity on livelihood patterns of rural households in three districts of Bihar and West Bengal. We find significant correlation between water scarcity and livelihood profiles. Households involved in farming and rural labour, or a mix of farming, rural labour and enterprises, earn 30–50% less than what they would have earned through alternative livelihoods. Yet, 50% of the sampled households were engaged in farming and rural labour. When accounting for endogeneity, urban migration provides much higher returns compared to rural labour supply or entrepreneurship.

Suggested Citation

  • Thiagu Ranganathan & Ram Ranjan & Deepa Pradhan, 2018. "Water scarcity and livelihoods in Bihar and West Bengal, India," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(4), pages 497-518, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oxdevs:v:46:y:2018:i:4:p:497-518
    DOI: 10.1080/13600818.2018.1447097
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    Cited by:

    1. Roy Cerqueti & Fabio Sabatini & Marco Ventura, 2019. "Civic capital and support for the welfare state," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 53(2), pages 313-336, August.
    2. M. N. Roy & S. Das & R. Mitra & D. Mukherjee, 2024. "Groundwater and climate smart agriculture: a reflection from West Bengal, India," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 29(5), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Tamgid Ahmed Chowdhury, 2021. "Applying and extending the sustainable livelihoods approach: Identifying the livelihood capitals and well-being achievements of indigenous people in Bangladesh," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 23(2), pages 302-320, December.

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