ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE GOALS THROUGH REORIENTING INCOME AND CONSUMPTION IN BORDER AREAS: A CASE STUDY FROM RURAL PUNJAB, INDIA

Abstract

The study reveals about the level and pattern of gross income, determinants of per capita income, consumption expenditure, analysis of consumption expenditure of sampled rural labour and marginal farmer households in border area of Punjab. The average annual gross income of sampled rural labour households and marginal farmer households have been found to be Rs. 84438.42 per household and Rs. 234047.02 per household respectively. The study also evaluate the average annual consumption expenditure of sampled rural labour and marginal farmer households have been found to be Rs. 121327.90 per household and Rs. 144177.11 per household respectively. The major determinants of gross income for sampled rural labour households have also been found to be Size of Family (SZFM), Adult Males as a Percentage of the Family Size (ADMP), Earning Members as a Percentage of the Family Size (ERNP) and for sampled marginal farmer households have been found to be Size of Family (SZFM). The study also suggested that there are need to reduce income and consumption inequalities, welfare and employment programs for social well-being of the rural community, particularly on the border area of Tarn Taran district. Government should encouraged the new employment opportunities to fulfil the targets of Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG1, SDG2, SDG3, SDG4, SDG5, SG8, SDG10, SDG12.