Publication

Abstract : Agriculture is the primary livelihood for approximately 54–58% of India’s population (480–520 million), while about 65% (roughly 900 million) reside in rural areas. Increasing economic and environmental pressures are exacerbating hard- ships for India’s rural agricultural communities. This study, conducted under Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Live-in-Labs® program, employs Human-Centered Design (HCD) interviews and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) to assess the economic impact of agriculture on livelihoods in Semponkudi village, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu. Findings indicate that over 68% of households primarily depend on agriculture for income; nearly 60% reported significant crop losses due to wild boar incursions across the preceding three harvests. Field data reveals that more than 75% of households earn below 6,000 monthly, with income heavily reliant on seasonal yields and irregular daily wage labor. In response, about 80% of the village’s youth are pursuing higher education as a long-term strategy to stabilize household finances. The study underscores the urgent need for welfare programs, protective agricultural technologies, and enhanced rural infrastructure to safeguard livelihoods and well-being.