Agricultural Mobility of Tribes: A Village -Level Study in Kerala

This paper epitomizes the dynamics in agrarian livelihood of a tribal community. The study probes the transformation taking place over the period with a focus on their agricultural patterns. Outcome of the inquiry reveals that a shift in the pattern and practices of cultivation enforced by the outside elements as a direct outcome of the injection of money economy has not fulfilled the targeted benefits in their life. It has disrupted not only their resource base but their livelihood fabric also. The additional risk of irreversible climate changes further erodes the livelihood trajectory of this resource oriented group. If not checked timely, the situation will result in further downward mobility in agricultural as well as livelihood.