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European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 04
April 2019
Impact Of Mnrega On Agricultural Development In Thoothukudi District
Dr.J. DASNAVIS JEYANTHI
V.O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi-628 008.
Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli – 627012,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an
ambitious scheme providing employment to rural people of India. In this paper an effort has
been made to analyses the impact of MNREGA on agricultural development beforeand after
joining MGNREGA in Thoothukudi district. It reveals that in Thoothukudi block, the impact
of MNREGA on agricultural development before joining MGNREGA was found low in the
variables namely flood protection, drought proofing and soil conservation. The mean score
values of these variables are, 2.18, 2.40, 3.84 and the same mean score 2.40 respectively. The
impact of MNREGA on agricultural development after joining MGNREGA was found high
in the variables namely land development, desilting of channels, renovation of existing ponds
and flood protection. The mean score values of these variables are, 4.12, 4.12, 3.84 and 3.84
respectively. The significant difference among the MGNREGA beneficiaries before and after
joining MGNREGA is found in all aspects of agricultural development except land
development, renovation of existing ponds, desilting of channels and flood protection since
its respective’t’ statistic are not significant at 5 per cent level. It shows that 90.00 percent of
the respondents in Thoothukudi block are satisfied with the job and the remaining 10.00
percent of the respondents are dissatisfied with the job. However, 84.00 percent of the
respondents in Srivaikundam block are satisfied with the job and the remaining 16.00 percent
of the respondents are dissatisfied with the job. On the other hand, 80.00 percent of the
respondents in Tiruchendur block are satisfied with the job and the remaining 20.00 percent
of the respondents are dissatisfied with the job. Although, 86.00 percent of the respondents in
Alwarthirunagari block are satisfied with the job and the remaining 14.00 percent of the
respondents are dissatisfied with the job. While, 92.00 percent of the respondents in
Udangudi block are satisfied with the job and the remaining 8.00 percent of the respondents
are dissatisfied with the job.
Key words:MGNREGA, Rural economy, economic development, agricultural development,
drought proofing, afforestation, minor irrigation.
Page 2 of 9
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 04
April 2019
INTRODUCTION
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is the
flagship programme of the Indian Government that directly touches the lives of the rural
poor. The act was enacted on 25th August, 2005 and it come in to force on 2nd February,
2006. Rural economy is the back-bone of Indian economic development. Providing
employment to rural households will certainly boost the economy. Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act increases demand for goods and services. By this scheme
Govt. gives assurance of employment to unskilled rural labourer for 100 days. With better
implementation such type of scheme may be an effective weapon to fight against poverty.
MGNREGA is the Scheme which can definitely improve the economic and social
condition of beneficiaries if implemented properly. For last several decades these villages
have been suffering from poverty, lack of quality health services, poor infrastructure and
inadequate facilities of education. The rural economy mainly depends on agriculture.In this
paper an effort has been made to analyses the impact of MNREGA on agricultural
development beforeand after joining MGNREGA in Thoothukudi district.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the present study are:
1) To study the impact of MNREGA on agricultural development before and after
joining MGNREGA in Thoothukudi district.
2) To identify opinion about employment of the respondents.
3) To analyse the attitude about payment of wage
METHODOLOGY
The present study depends on both primary data. Primary data are directly collected
from the sample respondents. The primary data are collected from the MGNREGA
beneficiaries in Thoothukudi district. In this study the sample size is 250 from five blocks
such as Thoothukudi block,Srivaikundam block,Tiruchendur block,Alwarthirunagari block
and Udangudi blockare selected.Each block 50MGNREGA beneficiariesare selected as
sample. The collected data were analysed by using the statistical tools like percentage, mean,
standard deviation and t test. The data relate to the month of September 2018.
Page 3 of 9
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 04
April 2019
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Ghuman, & Singh (2008)1
in a study on MGNREGA in rural development in Panjab
reported that 91.3% workers were in the age group of 18-50 years and 1.2% was more than
65 years in the entire district. The remaining 7.5% workers were in the age group of 51-65
years.
Pankaj K. Ashok (2008)2
in his study on process, institution and mechanism of
implementation MGNREGA: impact assessment of Bihar and Jharkhand reported that works
of water conservation and harvesting, irrigation and rural connectivity constitute the bulk of
schemes undertaken in Jharkhand and Bihar states. Both the state has very low irrigated areas
low density of road and particularly in Jharkhand, Plenty of land available for development.
The nature of works undertaken in various district of these two states suggest that the
MGNREGA can contribute significantly to the creation of much needed infrastructure.
Mathur (2008)3
“Employment guarantee progress so far” depicted in the finding that
MGNREGA could act as a great agent of socio-economic up-liftment and providing
livelihood security of poorest of the poor in India if implemented earnestly. The employment
and the earning under MGNREGA should be treated as additional avenue for such
households.
Thomas & Bhatia (2012)4
regarded MNREGA as an ambitious attempt to battle
poverty by guaranteeing employment to those who demand work and capable in formation
of capital in rural areas.
Pamecha&Suman (2015)5
analysed the socio-economic impact of MGNREGA on
the life of beneficiaries of Dungarpur district of Rajasthan. The findings of their study
revealed that the programme has changed the lives of the beneficiaries.
IMPACT OF MNREGA ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
The type of works that can be undertaken under MGNREGA is “limited to water
conservation and harvesting, drought proofing, afforestation, minor irrigation, flood control
and protection, renovation of traditional water bodies, including de-silting of tanks, land
development and construction/renovation of village roads and maintenance of assets created
under MGNREGA” (Ghose 2012)6
.
Water and soil conservation structures have been built through the MGNREGA
programme (Centre for Science and Environment, 2008)7
. In fact, NREGA is arguably the
