2007 - Centre for Ecological Sciences - Indian Institute of Science

Demography and rainfallPhoto: Dr. BC PatilThe current population of the village is 246, comprising 95 men, 98 womenand 53 children in 42 households. There has been a decreasing trend (43%)in the population of the village over the past three decades. The number ofhouseholds has also decreased by 44% over the past 25 years. Thisreduction is mainly driven by reduced returns from agriculture,abandonment of agriculture in a few cases and migration in search oflivelihood opportunities (Figures 2 and 3).Number4503753002251507501971 1981 1991 2001 2007Figure 2: Trends in populationNumber8060402001981 1991 2001 2007Figure 3: Trends in number of householdsSmall14%Large17%Medium49%Landless20%Current land holding status(percent households)Land Holding and OccupationAgriculture is the primary occupation of about 45% of the households inShinduvadi and 49% are involved in agriculture-related businesses. About50% of the farmers are categorized as medium farmers (holding 3–10acres); 17% are large farmers (holding more than 10 acres) and 14% aresmall farmers (less than 3 acres). About 20% of the households are oflandless labourers. All men in the village are engaged in agriculturalactivities; about a third are labourers. Approximately 18% of the men areinvolved in secondary occupations such as fishing and other agro-basedindustries. About 75% of the women work: agriculture (31%), labour (39%)and others (5%).Trends and ImplicationsThe number of land-owning farmers has increased by 77% whereas that oflandless labourers has decreased by about 25% over the past 15 years. Theincrease in the number of medium farmers can be attributed tofragmentation of land holdings. Migration for employment and betterincome has led to the decline in the number of agricultural labourersleading to labour scarcity (Figures 4 and 5).6