Resource information
In preparing an investment project, development strategies and project components are defined and revisited during project formulation through a consultative process that often includes Socio-economic and Production Systems Studies. These studies are conducted to develop an appreciation of the situation in which the intended beneficiaries live, and their perceptions of their problems, needs and priorities. The present study was carried out on the socio-economic situation of tribal communities and livelihoods in selected areas in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar in India. Some of the key livelihood issues looked at were: below subsistence production; declining availability and control over common property and forest resources; deficit-induced indebtedness leading to loss of control over private resources; insecure or lack of land tenure among some of the poorest groups, and dependence on low return seasonal labour migration. It also considered specific development concerns of tribal women.