Constraints Faced by Developmental Personnel Concerning Livelihood Programmes Across Paniya and Kanikkar Tribes, Kerala

HOLY MERCY DIVINA MATLA; Smitha K. P.; Allan  Thomas

doi:10.48165/IJEE.2026.621RN06

Authors

M.H.M. Divina Research Scholar
K P. Smitha
Allan Thomas

https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.621RN06

Keywords:

Tribal livelihoods, agricultural development, Constraints, Perspectives, Recommendations

Abstract

The study examined the constraints faced by developmental personnel concerning tribal Livelihood Development Programmes (LDPs) among the Paniya community in Wayanad and the Kanikkar community in Thiruvananthapuram. Data were collected from 120 personnel between January and May 2025 using a structured schedule, and constraints were prioritised using Garrett’s ranking technique. The results showed that excessive workload was a major challenge in both regions. However, personnel working with the Paniya community reported greater institutional delays and limited field-level staffing, while those working with the Kanikkar community faced stronger political influence and poor transport connectivity. Limited exposure to indigenous knowledge and seasonal migration of household head were notable socio-cultural barriers in both contexts. The findings underline that operational constraints faced by developmental personnel vary across tribal settings and are shaped by administrative, socio-cultural, and infrastructural factors. Addressing these constraints through context-specific planning, improved institutional coordination, and strengthened field-level support is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of livelihood interventions in tribal areas.

Author Biographies

M.H.M. Divina, Research Scholar

Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Kerala Agricultural University.
K P. Smitha

Assistant Professor (Agricultural Extension), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mannuthy, Vellanikara, Thrissur.
Allan Thomas

Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Kerala Agricultural University.

References

Adithyan, R., Devika, V., Smitha, S., & Sreedaya, G. S. (2025). Bridging the digital divide: Constraints to digital literacy among joint liability groups women farmers in Kerala. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(4), 220-224. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.614RN07.

Anshuman, J., Kaur, R., Rampal, V. K., Kar, S., & Naik, B. P. (2023). Constraints faced by extension personnel while attending trainings in Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute in Punjab state. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(6), 545-548.

Babu, B., Hazarika, C., Raina, S., Masoodi, S., Basappa, Y., Thomas, N., Kerketta, A., Menon, N., & Jebasingh, F. (2024). Prevalence of type 2 diabetes among tribal population of India: A multi-centric cross-sectional study. Journal of the National Medical Association, 116(2), 153-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnma.2024.01.004.

Bahubalendra, S., Mishra, B., Jayasingh, D. K., & Anand, A. (2025). Barriers hindering tribal farm women’s access to Agri-allied information. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(3), 118-122. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.613RN02

Balakrishnan, U., & Kurup, K. K. (2024). Does social capital matter for the development of scheduled tribes in Kerala? An inter-tribal analysis. Review of Development and Change, 29(2), 156-175. https://doi.org/10.1177/09722661241297268.

Chaudhary, A., Meena, N. R., Doharey, R. K., Maurya, J., Verma, A., & Yadav, G. (2025). Constraints in adopting improved chickpea cultivation practices in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(4), 208-211. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.614RN04.

Choudhary, A., Sisodia, S., Bairathi, R., Upadhyay, B., Babu, S., & Baheti, B. (2025). Constraints faced by tribal farmers in seeking livelihood security through forest-based resources. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 31(6), 612-620. https://doi.org/10.9734/jsrr/2025/v31i63156.

Dakua, A., Das, R. N., & Ghadei, K. (2020). Social comparison of tribal groups based on wadi project adoption. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(8), 51-60. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.908.006.

Das, K. (2025). Tribal development in Odisha: Identifying infrastructural gap and institutional constraints. International Journal on Science and Technology, 16(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.71097/ijsat.v16.i1.1437.

Gupta, S.K., Gorai, S., & Nain M.S.(2020).Methodologies for constraints analysis, Journal of Extension Systems, 36(2),22-27. http://doi.org/10.48165/JES.2020.36205

Joy, L., & Ajithkumar, S. (2018). An overview of the socio-economic conditions of Paniya tribal community in Kerala. International Journal of Economics and Management Studies, 5(3), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.14445/23939125/ijems-v5i3p101.

Kapoor, N., Ahmad, N., Nayak, S., Singh, S., Ilavarasan, P., & Ramamoorthy, P. (2021). Identifying infrastructural gap areas for smart and sustainable tribal village development: A data science approach from India. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 1(2), 100041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2021.100041.

Kumar P. & Nain M. S. (2012). Technology use pattern and constraint analysis of farmers in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir state of India. Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development, 7 (2),165-170.

Kumar, S., Sharma, M., & Siddharth, C. (2024). Issues and challenges in developmental schemes in tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh. International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, 11(1), 777-790.

Kuriakose, J., & Ramesh, K. K. (2025). Tribal development initiatives and indigenous communities in Kerala: Addressing challenges and ensuring inclusive growth. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 7(3), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.49790.

Lakshmi, R., Singh, V. K., Singh, D. K., Priyanka, V., & Kumar, M. (2025). Constraints faced by farmers in adapting to climate change in North Bihar. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(4), 216-219. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.614RN06.

Manoj, K., & Aithal, P. (2025). Technology integration and eco-tourism promotion for tribal welfare: The case of Kerala knowledge economy in digital India. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering, 11(2), 3701-3709. https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.2630.

Meeral, P. R., Balasubramaniam, A., Indiran, M. A., & Karthik, M. (2024). Oral health status and behaviour among Kanikkaran tribes of Mundandhurai Hills in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 14(3), 245-251.

Monisha, M., & Thomas, P. E. (2021). The Paniya tribe of Nilgiris: caught in the conflict between socio-economic aspirations and tradition. Global Journal for Research Analysis, 10(6), 73-74. https://doi.org/10.36106/gjra/9706536.

Nair, A., & Vishnu, V. S. (2018). Globalisation, land alienation and its impact on the right to livelihood of the tribal communities in Kerala. Sociology and Anthropology, 6(4), 349-354. https://doi.org/10.13189/sa.2018.060401.

Narayanan, M., Anilkumar, N., Balakrishnan, V., Sivadasan, M., Alfarhan, H., & Alatar, A. (2011). Wild edible plants used by the Kattunaikka, Paniya and Kuruma tribes of Wayanad District, Kerala, Indian Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 5(15), 3520-3529. https://doi.org/10.5897/jmpr.9001295.

Paul N., Slathia P.S., Kumar R. & Nain M.S. (2015). Training needs and constraints of extension officers in transfer of agriculture technology. Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development,10 (1),24-28.

Satpathy, A., Satpathy, B., & Jayasingh, D. K. (2025). Constraints in the adoption of stress tolerant rice varieties (STRVs) in Odisha. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(4), 195-200. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.614RN02

Singh, N., Anand, B., & Khan, M. (2018). Micro-level perception to climate change and adaptation issues: A prelude to mainstreaming climate adaptation into developmental landscape in India. Natural Hazards, 92, 1287-1304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-018-3250-y.

Suman, S., Deb, A., & Prusty, A. (2025). Constraints and strategic suggestions for enhancing Integrated Farming Systems among Bonda tribal family farms. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(3), 132-136. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijee.2025.613rn05.