The Role of Migration and Remittances in Promoting Livelihoods in Bihar
Author(s): D. Kumar H. K. Chobey P. Deshingkar S. Kumar
This report provides an assessment of migration and remittance patterns in six districts of Bihar in order to identify practical steps that could be taken to maximise the benefits and minimise the negative impacts of migration. The study is based on discussions and interviews with rural migrants. The research demonstrates that the attraction of city life is a major factor in shaping migration decisions, especially for young people. However, the choice of destination is strongly determined by social networks - people from a particular caste and village tend to go to the same destination and into similar occupations. In the case of the poorest unskilled labourers, migration helps to smooth incomes and improve food security. However, accumulation of assets is minimal and the costs in terms of children's education are high. There has also been an increase in child migration from these groups of migrants, especially from the northern districts and this, in some cases, might include some facing exploitative situations. For the better educated and connected migrants working in industries, migration money is an important way of financing agriculture and the accumulation of assets. Migration is now viewed as a defined stage in the lifecycle of the household: as sons approach an age where they can be sent away to earn, the head of the household stays in the village to look after the farm and other enterprises.
The research concludes that the future of migration from Bihar is uncertain. Although most migrants and their families agree that they have benefited from migration on the whole, they feel that destination areas have become less welcoming and would like to secure a future for their children at home.