Seasonal Migration among Rural Households in Odisha: Determination and Magnitude

Abstract

 This paper investigates the relationship between wage differential and seasonal migration with the unit-level data on unemployment, employment and migration, especially in Odisha. The study used the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) data of 2007-08. The paper examines how wage differential from rural to urban area motivates rural people for seasonal migration for better livelihood options in  Koraput  of district, Odisha. By applying the OLS method to measure the wage differential, it also explores the probable reasons behind the seasonal migration in rural areas. It is observed that lack of elementary education among the marginal sections of people like SC, ST and OBC probable to seasonal migration for alternative option of livelihood or employment. the per-capita consumption is 0.13 and 0.05 times more of a self-employed in own agricultural land and agricultural labourer household respectively than casual labourer household. The current study found that, the per-capita consumption is 0.4 times more of an Indira Awash Yojana household than a non- Indira Awash Yojana household. The above table shows, the per-capita consumption is 0.01 times more of an RSBY (health card) holders household than a non- RSBY (health card) holders household. The above table shows, the per-capita consumption is 0.02 times more of a Kishan Credit Card holders household than a non-Kishan Credit Card holders household.