This book explores the socio-economic shift from traditional farming to Toto driving in rural and peri-urban India, highlighting the causes and impacts of this occupational migration. Toto, a battery-operated e-rickshaw, initially emerged in urban areas but has become a key public transport option across urban, peri-urban, and rural regions due to its eco-friendliness, affordability, and ability to generate moderate daily incomes of ?300-?500 in states like West Bengal. Through field research, the book examines the factors driving this transformation, including the declining profitability of agriculture and the seasonal nature of farming. It delves into the push and pull dynamics influencing rural youth and farmers to adopt Toto driving as a viable livelihood alternative. Offering insights into a significant socio-economic phenomenon, the book serves as a valuable resource for understanding occupational transitions in South Asia, appealing to researchers, policymakers, and global audiences interested in sustainable livelihoods.
The sharp decline of net income from farming and its seasonality nature have triggered up the process of occupational migration of rural diaspora from farming to Toto driving. Toto is a battery operated rickshaw and initially had an introduction to urban and peri-urban areas. Now, it has become a mainstay for public vehicles for rural, peri-urban and urban populace in India. It is eco-friendly, low cost and attracts the rural unemployed youths or practising farmers to take Toto driving as a main occupation. It ensures a moderate income ranging Rs 300 to 500 per day in West Bengal, good enough to sustain a small poor family, which traditional agriculture miserably fails to ensure. The book is a unique outcome of field research to highlights what are operating factors that promotes a robust transformation of farmers into a Toto driver. What are the pushes and pull factors catalyse the process of occupational migration. The book is of immense significance in attracting global audience to such mega occupational transformation in South East Asian countries including India.
Human migration is the movement of people from one area to another with intentions of settling, permanently or temporarily, at a new site (geographic region). The movement frequently happens across great distances and from one nation to another, although internal migration (inside a single country) is also feasible; fact, this is the major type of human migration worldwide. Migration is typically connected with stronger human capital at both individual and household level, and with better access to migration networks. Age is also essential for both job and non-work migration. People may travel as individuals, in family groupings or in big groups. There are four primary modes of migration: invasion, conquest, colonization and immigration/ emigration (Daylit et al., 2022). Individuals migrating from their home owing to forced displacement (such as a natural catastrophe or civil conflict) may be classified as displaced individuals or, if staying in the home nation, internally-displaced persons. A person who seeks shelter in another nation may, if the reason for leaving the home country is political, religious, or another type of persecution, submit a formal application to that country where protection is sought and is then commonly characterized as an asylum seeker. If this application is successful this person’s legal status becomes that of a refugee. In modern times, migration governance has grown strongly tied with state sovereignty. States maintain the right of deciding on the admission and stay of nonnationals since migration directly impacts some of the distinguishing qualities of a State (Mawire et al., 2020).
Migration reflects the patterns of societal transformations. From a historical perspective, throughout the process of industrialization and economic advancement, individuals relocate from agricultural areas to industrial sectors, from rural areas to urban centres, from one urban centre to another, and from one nation to another. Currently, Asia, Africa, and Latin America are seeing significant technical advancements, leading to a substantial movement from rural to urban areas in these countries. Economists research migration because to its impact on the availability of skilled and semi-skilled workers, the growth of industries and commerce, and the resulting changes in the employment patterns of migrants. The formulation of economic policy is closely intertwined with the phenomenon of migration, since migration significantly impacts a country’s economic and social progress. The study of migration is crucial due to its impact on population dynamics, including population size, growth rate, and demographic structure, as determined by birth rate, death rate, and migration. Furthermore, migration significantly influences the geographical spread of the population and the availability of workforce inside the nation. Therefore, the analysis of occupational migration is valuable in developing economic and other governmental policies, as well as informing the work of economists, sociologists, legislators, planners, and demographers Current ideas on labour migration Overview Since ancient times, humans have struggled to meet their fundamental needs for food, housing, and other necessities. They naturally gravitate toward personal development. Human life has always involved migration in one form or another. believes that migration is a permanent or semi-permanent shift in residence, regardless of the length of the journey (Lee, 1966). People have been moving throughout the world for a variety of reasons since prehistoric times, both within and between regions. In the past, geographical elements such the atmosphere, soil fertility, native vegetation, etc., had a major impact
A literature review is an organized, in-depth examination of books, journals, and research papers related to a particular subject that serves as a foundation of knowledge. By pointing out gaps in the present body of knowledge, literature reviews aim to identify and evaluate the body of existing research on a certain subject in order to support your own study. This inquiry needs to include an explanation, synopsis, and critical assessment of previous studies pertaining to the research challenge. It should also contribute to the body of knowledge on the subject and show how your findings will fit into a broader body of knowledge. Your research goal should be guided by the critical examination of the most recent research on the subject provided by a literature review. This is not the same as a book review or an annotated bibliography, which are research instruments with quite distinct goals and purposes. Writing a process document is essential to a successful literature review. Purpose A literature review’s objectives are to: • Offer a solid foundation of information on the subject. • Locate areas of earlier study to avoid repetition and to acknowledge the contributions of other experts. • Determine the need for further research (include evidence to support your findings). • Determine how one piece relates to the other and to the theme in the context of both. • Set your own research in the framework of previously published works that argue for the necessity for further research.
The term “research setting” describes the specifics of the location where the study was carried out. The study area typically consists of a specific geographic area, such as a state, district, block, or gram panchayat area, chosen based on the investigator’s convenience. The investigator should have sufficient knowledge of the area’s location, communication infrastructure, etc. to enable him to easily approach every part of the area for data collection. In order to easily comprehend the people’s knowledge, attitude, and conduct, investigators also need to have a fundamental awareness of their sociodemographic background. This chapter aims to provide a short overview of the social, economic, and agricultural elements of the region where the current research was carried out. The Haringhata and Kastodanga villages of gram panchayat Haringhata-1 and Kastodanga-2 in Haringhata block in the Nadia district of West Bengal were the study’s locations. Below is a quick overview of the block and village in particular, as well as the state and district in general. Study Area West Bengal, a state in eastern India, is the location of this study’s research region. West Bengal, a state in eastern India, has a distinct social and ecological context that has a wide range of effects on the people’s behaviour and level of life. The Nadia district’s block is the subject of the inquiry. The research area is under the Haringhata-1 and Kastodanga-2 Gram Panchayat in the villages of Haringhata and Kastodanga.
The discussion on the methodology has been done to comprehend the idea, procedures and techniques which are employed to design the research, gathering of information, analysis of data and interpretation of the results for revelation of truths and creation of hypotheses. These chapter deals with the approach and a process employed in the research a comprise of eight basic parts- A. Locale of research. B. Pilot research. C. Sampling Design. D. Empirical measurement of the variables. E. Preparation of interview Schedule. F. Pre-testing of Interview Schedule G. Techniques of Data gathering. H. Statistical Tools utilized for Analysis of Data. A. Locale of Research The research focused on the rural areas of Haringhata Block in Nadia district, West Bengal. This region was selected for the investigation due to several key reasons: a) There is significant potential to gather pertinent data relevant to the current study within this area. b) The researchers’ familiarity with the local population and proficiency in the local language facilitate more effective data collection and communication. c) The region’s proximity to the researchers’ residences made it highly convenient for them to conduct fieldwork.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide sufficient information in order to arrive at a valid conclusion after the study has been completed. The chapter deals with the results and discussion of the study. In this chapter, tables and models are frequently utilized to provide support and supplement the materials that are presented in the text. It is helpful to interpret the findings of the study in the appropriate context and to relate them to other studies that are relevant to the topic at hand through discussion.
This study examines how various socio-economic variables affect migration distance and happiness among toto-pullers in farm ecology, analysing 15 independent variables and their relationships with six dependent variables. The distribution patterns show moderate variability in family size, income, and material possessions, with notable variability in factors such as migration costs and water scarcity. Correlation analyses reveal that higher education, income, and land holdings are negatively correlated with migration distance, while larger family size, older average age, and better housing conditions correlate positively with longer migration distances. Regression analysis indicates that family size significantly influences migration distance, while higher education levels are associated with shorter distances. Stepwise regression confirms family size as a key predictor, explaining 20.7% of the variance in migration distance. Path analysis highlights that larger families directly increase migration distance, whereas higher education leads to shorter distances. In terms of happiness, material possession, house type, and income from livestock are positively correlated, suggesting that better living conditions significantly enhance happiness. Conversely, higher migration costs and lower education and income levels are negatively correlated with happiness. Overall, the findings underscore the critical roles of family size, socio-economic conditions, and material factors in shaping migration patterns and happiness, indicating areas for targeted interventions to improve migration outcomes and overall well-being among toto-pullers. The stepwise regression analysis identifies several key predictors of unhappiness, migration benefits, push factors, and pull factors. Material possession (x7) emerges with a negative coefficient of -0.224 and a t-value of -1.725, suggesting that while higher material possessions are somewhat linked to reduced unhappiness, this effect is not statistically significant. In contrast, total annual income from livestock per capita (x12) significantly reduces unhappiness, with a coefficient of -0.360 and a t-value of -3.826, reflecting a robust negative relationship. Family size (x1) also significantly influences unhappiness, with a coefficient of -0.299 and a t-value of -2.537, indicating that larger family sizes are associated with greater unhappiness. The model explains 51.6% of the variance in
The study on the nature and dynamics of farm ecology in relation to occupational migration in certain areas of West Bengal has yielded valuable insights. To enhance future research on this topic, several areas for further investigation can be considered: 1. Gender Dimensions in Occupational Migration: Examining the ways in which gender affects patterns and experiences of occupational migration can yield significant insights into how male and female migrants are differently impacted. By investigating these genderbased differences, we can better understand the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by individuals of different genders as they navigate job transitions across regions and countries. This exploration can reveal crucial factors such as variations in job opportunities, wage disparities, and professional growth prospects, highlighting the unique barriers and advantages experienced by male and female migrants. Ultimately, this understanding can inform more equitable policies and support mechanisms tailored to the specific needs of each gender, fostering a more inclusive approach to occupational migration. 2. Educational Issues for Migrant Families: Investigating the educational challenges encountered by families in transit can reveal profound effects on children’s education and development, making it a particularly important and compelling field of study. This research can shed light on how frequent relocations, disruptions in schooling, and varying educational standards impact children’s learning experiences, academic performance, and overall growth. Understanding these challenges can offer valuable insights into the specific obstacles faced by mobile families, such as inconsistencies in curriculum, interruptions in social and emotional development, and difficulties in accessing educational resources. By highlighting these issues, the study can inform the creation of targeted interventions and support systems aimed at mitigating the adverse effects on children and enhancing their educational outcomes during periods of transition.
