IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD AMONG THE TRIBAL

By sustainable development, we mean development forever. It is the path of development by which one can raise its consumption without reducing the availability of it for future generation. So it is not a short term phenomena rather it has a long run perspective. Livelihood development is defined as adequate and sustainable access to income and resources to meet basic needs. Livelihood strategies are the combination of activities that people choose to undertake in order to achieve their livelihood goals. Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for the overwhelming majority of the tribal population in India. Agricultural modernization has since long been introduced in the tribal areas of West Bengal, primarily with a view to raise the level of income, standard of living and lifestyle of the tribal people. The Santal is one of the largest tribal communities in India and also in West Bengal. The Santal of West Bengal is broadly known as an agriculturist tribe. The Santals are getting the benefit of agricultural modernization one way or other. The present study reveals the extent and nature of socio-economic changes among the Santals due to agricultural modernization. It can be undoubtedly concluded that in the course of their contact with the larger society and due to the adoption of modern agricultural technology, there have occurred many economic, social and cultural changes among them