Socio-economic status of marking nut decorticators in Washim District

Introduction

The tribal population of India, officially recognized as Scheduled Tribes (ST), often resides in remote areas with limited access to modern amenities. These communities, representing about 8.6 per cent of India's population, are economically and socially marginalized. Agriculture is the primary occupation of most tribal people; however, for many, secondary occupations like marking nut decortication provide supplementary income. Marking nut decortication, a manual process carried out predominantly by tribal women, is an integral part of the rural economy in some parts of Maharashtra, particularly in Malegaon tehsil of Washim district. This occupation involves extracting the seed from the marking nut (Semecarpus anacardium), which has multiple uses in traditional medicine and industrial processes. Despite its economic significance, the socio-economic conditions of these workers remain largely underexplored. This study aims to assess the socio-economic status of marking nut decorticators in Washim District, with specific focus on their demographic profile, economic conditions, health challenges, and employment patterns.

Methodology

An exploratory research design was used for this study. The research was conducted in 12 villages of Malegaon tehsil, Washim District of Maharashtra, the selection of villages is as based on their significant tribal population involved in marking nut decortication. A total of 120 female respondents were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via structured interview using a pre-tested schedule. The variables studied included age, education, landholding, income, family size, and occupational health challenges. Statistical methods such as frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyze the data.

Results and Discussion

Age:

The study revealed that maximum number (47.50%) of respondents were young (below 35 years), with 34.16 per cent in the middle-aged category (36-50 years) and 18.34 per cent above 50 years. These results indicate a workforce primarily composed of younger individuals.

Education

A significant portion (34.16%), of the respondents were illiterate while 20.83 per cent had attended middle school, 19.16 per cent attended primary school and 18.33 per cent had secondary education. None of the respondents was found in higher education category. This highlights the educational backwardness in the tribal areas, which impacts their socioeconomic mobility.

Gender

All respondents (100%) were female, reflecting the gendered nature of this occupation.

III. Annual income of family members

Regarding annual income, near about half (50.83%) of the respondent families earn between Rs 58,001 to 1,01,000/-of annual income followed by 31.66 per cent earn upto Rs 58,000/-and 09.16 per cent had earnings between Rs.101,001/-to Rs. 1,44,000/-05.83 per cent had Rs 1,44,001 to 1,87,000/-and 02.50 per cent had above Rs. 1,87,001/-

IV. Land holding

From the below Table, about (68.33%) respondent had small landless followed by 20.00 per cent of small and 10.00 per cent of marginal size of land holding. Only 01.67 per cent respondents had semi-Medium size of land holding. None of the respondents had large size of land holding.

V. Type of land holding

It was observed from the Table that (19.67%) possessed rainfed type of land holding and 12.00 per cent of them possessed Irrigated type of land holding.

VI. Type of cultivation

It was observed from the Table that, those who had land holding out of almost all (100.00%) of the respondents had settled type of cultivation.

VII. Cropping pattern

It was seen from the Table that, more than half (19.67%) of the respondents followed seasonal cropping patter and 12.00 per cent of them followed multiple cropping pattern.

VIII. Family attributes A) Type

The data from Table revealed that, more than half (77.50%) of the respondent tribal farmers were belonged to nuclear type of family and remaining 22.50 per cent of them belonged to joint type of family.

B) Size

More than half (67.50%) of the respondent had small size of family with upto 4 members in the family, while 32.50 per cent respondent tribal farmers had medium size of family with 5 to 7 members in the family.

IX. No. of earning members in the family

From Table below, it is revealed that, majority (73.33%) of respondent family had up to 2 earning members, followed by 23.33 per cent of them had 3 to 4 earning members and 03.34 per cent had above 4 earning members in the family.

X. House holding A) Type of house

More than half (50.83%) of the respondents had metal sheet roof/ mixed houses, 25.83 per cent of them had hut/mud walled houses, 18.34 per cent of them had tiled and bricked walled houses and 05.00 per cent of them had concrete houses.

B) Ownership of house

It was observed from data presented in Table that, cent per cent (100%) of the respondents had own houses.

XI. Material possession

It was observed from data presented in Table that, Maximum (77.50%) of the respondents concentrated in low category of material possession, 22.50 per cent of them concentrated in medium category of material possession.

XII. Livestock possession

From the Table, it is known that, majority (46.66%) of the respondents had backyard poultry (chicken) as a livestock, followed by 31.66 per cent, 25.83 per cent and 10.00 per cent of them possess goat/sheep, cow/ buffaloes, bullocks, and as their livestock respectively.

XIII. Farm implements and equipment

It was observed from Table that, maximum (65.00%) of the respondents belonged to low category, 35.00 per cent of them belonged to medium category.

XIV. Sources of irrigation

From above data Table, it was observed that,19.66 per cent of the respondents had no source of irrigation, while 12.50 per cent of them had well/Tube well as their source of irrigation.

XV. Social and cultural participation

From above Table it was cleared that, cent per cent (76.66%) of the respondents participated in their traditional activities, followed by 10.00 per cent in caste panchayat, while 05.00 per cent act as a local leader.

XVI. Benefits derived from government A) For educational development

From table, regarding educational development 43.33 per cent of the respondents takes the benefit of Ashram school for their children's education, followed by 38.33 per cent take benefit of scholarship and 31.66 per cent take benefit of hostel facilities for their children's.

B) For economic development

About 45.00 per cent of them take benefit of Gharkul yojana, followed by 10.83 per cent, 51.67 per cent, 10.00 per cent, 11.66 per cent take benefit of PVC/HDPE pipe supply scheme, subsidies, Electrical/ Disel pump set supply scheme and Milch animals/Goat/ Poultry supply schemes.

XVII. Marketing pattern

Regarding marketing pattern from Table, it was observed that 74.16 per cent of the respondents sold their agricultural produce in local market, followed by 53.33 per cent, 35.00 per cent, 27.50 per cent, 24.16 per cent, 18.33 per cent sold their agricultural produce to taluka market, district market, MSTDCL, APMC, Government purchase center, respectively.

XVIII. Personal achievements/ Rewards

It was observed from Table that, cent per cent (100%) of the tribal respondents had not received any awards/ rewards.

XIX. Source of saving

Data presented in above Table illustrates that, 64.16 per cent respondents had hard cash as a source of saving, while 34.16 per cent, 23.34 per cent, 19.16 per cent of them had Bank, Jewellery, SHG as a source of saving and 28.33 per cent of them had no saving.

XX. Access to credit

From data presented in Table, it was observed that, 31.66 per cent receives credit from their friends or relatives, while 26.67 per cent, per cent, 23.34 per cent, 14.16 per cent 04.16 receives credit from money lenders, banks, Local SHG, Cooperative society respectively.

Socio-Economic Status

Based on the socio-economic indicators, 60.83 per cent of respondents had very low socio-economic status, and 20.83 per cent were categorized under low socio-economic status. Only 18.34 per cent achieved a medium status, with none reaching high or very high socio-economic levels. This underscores the need for significant interventions to improve the livelihood of marking nut decorticators.

Conclusion

Marking nut decorticators in Washim District, primarily women, face severe socio-economic and health challenges.

Their limited access to education and healthcare, coupled with the physically demanding nature of their work, restricts their ability to improve their economic standing. There is an urgent need for targeted programs that provide educational opportunities, healthcare services, and safer working conditions. By addressing these issues, it is possible to improve the quality of life for these marginalized communities and uplift their socio-economic status.

References