Livelihood support for tribal population in Kerala through planned assistance: an evaluation of the tribal sub plan (TSP) in the agricultural sector

Abstract

Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), a strategic policy initiative to secure overall development of the STs, was first introduced in the Fifth Five Year Plan. The focus of TSP is on “securing budgetary allocations for tribal development at least proportionate to their population, in order to bring them at par with other sections of society and to protect them from exploitation.” Tribals require specific attention not only with monetary allocation but also for their rapid socioeconomic development. This requires integrated approach combining all departments in a united manner and not interventions in isolation. The Tribal Sub-Plan envisages reducing gaps between the tribals and non-tribals in health, education, communication and other areas of basic amenities of life by providing legal and administrative support. The Sub-Plan also intends to implement livelihood security schemes to enhance the income of tribals by taking into account their aptitude and skill. In Kerala, tribal sub-plan approach was adopted in 1976, to intensify the tribal development programme of the state. The present study focuses on the extent of livelihood options opened up by TSP projects to tribal farmers and its socio-economic impact in their lives, the institutional changes in the TSP administration, the pattern of outlay and utilization of TSP funds in the agricultural sector and the social and institutional constraints in implementing TSP projects. The study was conducted in Wayanad, Idukki and Palakkad districts of Kerala. Two panchayaths were selected randomly from each of these districts. From each panchayath, 10 tribals and 10 people’s representatives were selected by random sampling, making a total of 120 respondents. The livelihood security of the tribals before and after the implementation of TSP projects was measured using the Livelihood Security Index (LSI). The index scores of the tribals showed that livelihood security of tribals had improved significantly after implementation of TSP projects. However, the three districts were found to have attained almost same level of livelihood security. The status of tribal empowerment which was measured using ‘empowerment index’, showed that the status of empowerment of tribals had not increased significantly and had remained at low level for majority. Analysis of the socio-economic impact of TSP shows significant improvement in the levels of their income, production, savings, education and social participation. Distribution of funds for TSP programs in agricultural sector shows that more funds were allotted to crop cultivation and animal husbandry programmes. Poor communication facilities and illiteracy of tribals were the major constraints experienced by people’s representatives while implementing the TSP programmes. It was also observed that participation of the tribals in developmental activities was very low. High degree of concordance was found to exist among the people’s representatives with regard to the importance ascribed to constraints in implementing TSP programmes . The study highlights that participation of tribals has to be enhanced by government officials while planning tribal development programmes and more efforts have to be taken up to increase the tribal literacy levels. The non-cooperative attitude of tribals towards developmental activities has to be deliberately changed. Emphasis on agriculture should be shifted to varied avenues of income generation to improve their livelihood security.