Role of Rural Non-Farm Employment in Enhancing Food Security and Livelihoods of Rural Households in Karur District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Rural livelihoods in India are undergoing a significant transformation, with non-farm activities emerging as a key source of employment and income beyond agriculture. The Rural Non-Farm Sector (RNFS) has become central to livelihood diversification and economic resilience in rural areas. The present study was conducted in Karur district of Tamil Nadu, a region with predominant non-farm activities, to examine the impact of Rural Non-Farm Sector participation on employment, and food security of rural households. However, district-level empirical evidence linking rural non-farm employment, occupational choice, and household food security in Tamil Nadu remains limited. Primary data were collected from 120 rural households. The results indicated that manufacturing accounted for the largest share of non-farm employment (34.62 per cent), followed by construction (17.95 per cent) and transport services (14.10 per cent). Econometric analysis revealed that household size, proportion of working members, organizational membership, distance to workplace, and household income significantly influenced participation in Rural Non-Farm Sector, while age and landholding size had a negative effect. The occupational choice analysis showed that households with higher levels of education and income were more likely to engage in self-employed or regular non-farm activities. The mean food security index was highest for non-farm households (1.11), compared to farm (1.05) and off-farm households (1.01). Food-secure non-farm households exceeded calorie requirements by 10 per cent, while food-insecure households experienced calorie shortfalls ranging from 17 to 25 per cent. Probit results showed that education and non-farm income positively influenced food security, whereas age, household size, and distance to markets had a negative effect. The study highlights the Rural Non-Farm Sector as an important livelihood safety net and emphasizes strengthening farm–non-farm linkages through productivity enhancement and rural infrastructure development to reduce distress migration.