Emergence of Entrepreneurship: A Livelihood Strategy of Tribal Women of Andhra Pradesh, India

Introduction

Indigenous/tribal people constitute 15% (approximately 370 million in over 90 countries) of the world’s poor although they make up only five percent of the global population. Over the years, indigenous/tribal people around the world have suffered greatly as a result of shifting economic forces, advancing technologies, encroaching population centers, deforestation, and colonial expansion. To varying degrees indigenous/tribal communities both in India and around the world have suffered geographical and population dislocations. Chronic poverty of almost all indigenous people is one of the most indisputable attributes that sharpens the dilemma of economic development. Despite the enormous diversity of indigenous population and their circumstances, relative economic deprivation characterizes the vast majority of indigenous population all over the world. Indigenous/tribal people along with other poor population of the world have been the target of a wide range of initiatives, efforts and programs to facilitate their economic development due to the depressing economic statistics about them.

India is home to about 700 tribal groups with a population of 104 million, as per Census of India (2011). These indigenous people constitute the second largest tribal population in the world after Africa. Tribes of India comprise approximately 8.6% of Indian population (Census of India 2011) and represent the most disadvantaged group in the country with many of them experiencing acute poverty and unemployment. Tribals are not only poor but also severely disadvantaged in terms of broader socio political measures. Land, forest and forest resources play a significant role in the economy of any tribal society in India due to the importance of forests and land in their social, cultural and economic survival. It is to be noted that the tribal/indigenous economy is basically subsistence economy. Tribals operate in separate economic system which is fully different from the main stream economy (Behara, 2017).

Traditionally they produce only for themselves and for their immediate community. With the loss of forest cover and accelerated deforestation, the socio-economic and ecological impacts on local indigenous/tribal communities have become acute. Degradation of the surrounding environment and rigid forest laws have adversely affected food accessibility, livelihood options and quality of life of local tribal communities. Numerous factors are contributing to the disadvantageous situation deepening the poverty among tribals especially women in recent times. However, with the gradual loss of collective ownership of lands and other natural resources and the introduction by dominant outsiders of institutions of private property, tribal women progressively lost their traditional rights to land and natural resources. Many factors contribute to generate this disadvantageous situation for women. Loss of land, water and forests experienced by indigenous/tribal people is especially deepening the poverty among tribal women while increasing their domestic load and subsistence responsibilities. Since many tribal women have low educational levels they are excluded from job opportunities and community management roles.

The introduction of the cash economy has eroded their independence as self-reliant food producers, healers, artisans, and spiritualists, and their role in production in the economy and their community life has declined. Changes in traditional social, cultural and political institutions and practices have led to a loss of rules and codes of behavior that have been instrumental in ensuring gender-sensitive structures in the tribal society. Indigenous/tribal women in many countries face numerous barriers in their access to education, health care, sanitation and other basic services, and are excluded from decision-making on programmes to meet these needs and entitlements. Recently numerous programs and projects that are being implemented by various countries and UN agencies are providing external assistance for economic development of indigenous/tribal women around the world.