Indicators of Drought Vulnerability for Assessing Coping Mechanism in Arid Western Rajasthan

Abstract

In order to identify some socio-economic indicators of drought vulnerability that could be measured at grassroots level in the sandy desert of India, a study was undertaken in ten dune-covered villages of Jodhpur district with limited water availability, low crop production and comparatively less employment opportunities. In-depth interviews with sample households from different land-holding categories and different castes/ communities in the villages revealed that a land holding of less than 2 ha, and nonavailability of secondary sources of income (family income below Rs. 3200 per month) are the major indicators of drought vulnerability at the grassroots level. MGNREGA is now emerging as an indicator of drought-coping capability at village level. Key words: Drought, vulnerability, socio-economic indicators, western Rajasthan.