EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE — AN OPTIMIZATION STUDY IN MEERUT DIVISION, U.P.

Abstract

Agriculture is the principal occupation of a majority of the rural population and is also the perpetual source of employment and income. In the post-independence period the country was faced with a serious problem of unemployment and shortage of food. The food problem has, however, been tackled through concerted efforts, but unemployment problem is still very serious. However, irrigation is a critical input which has been instrumental in sustained growth of agriculture. More recently, the favourable impact of irrigation on creation of additional rural employment for agricultural labourers and self-employed family members of the farmers households is being highlighted. While irrigation operation and maintenance itself needs labour, its availability generates 'on-farm' employment through increased intensive farm activities, and labour intensive cultural practices like transplantation, sowing of seedlings, application of fertilizers, pesticides etc. Besides large volume of transaction of marketable surplus of agricultural and their processing also increase the off-farm employment opportunities. Thus, in an abundantly labour surplus rural economy, irrigation reduces the rigours of unemployment, under employment and seasonal unemployment by generating employment. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the country. In U.P., Meerut Division is most progressive in farming which compares with Punjab. Keeping In view the contribution of the progressive farming in the State's economy, Meerut Division was who inspired me and gave valuable suggestions and helped me at all stages of the work. I shall be utterly failing in my moral duty if I do not express my sincere gratitude to my family members, who helped me in innumerable ways by showing an attitude of patience and perseverance at all times, and relieving me of many mundane distractions, which indeed made my research work less ardous. I owe beyond accountability to Mrs. C.S.Raghuvanshi for her affection, enduring patience and excellent support without which it would not have been possible to complete this task. Special thanks to Shri S.C.Dass, Shri S.K.Gaur, Shri Anil Sharma and Shri Abdus Salam for typing the manuscript with speed and accuracy.