Article published in "Food Security"
This paper presents the results of a
survey of the livelihoods of people living in the eastern part of the
subtropical plains of Nepal, known as the terai. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches
were used in the survey and further data were obtained through focus group
discussions, in-depth interviews with key informants and participant
observations. Changes were recorded both in the perception of agricultural and
residential land for a secure living and the meaning given to food
security. The principal drivers causing these changes were voluntary
out-migration for remunerative employment, urbanization and the reluctance
of members of the younger generation to farm, which they regard as a “dirty job”.
In consequence, people’s livelihood practices and access to food are
gradually shifting from an agriculture-based economy to an economy that is
based on other sources of income, including remittances from out-migrants.
This development threatens not only the role of agriculture in rural
livelihoods but also the food security of the country.
Authors: Hom Gartaula, Anke Niehof and Leontine Visser
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