Agricultural Labourers in Rural Labour Households, 1956-57 to 1977-78-Changes in Employment, Wages and Incomes

This paper discusses trends in employment, wage earnings and incomes of agricultural labourers in rural labour households during 1956-57 to 197778 at the all-India level and for the 14 major states of the country. The discussion on the trends in the economic condition of agricultural labour households is placed in the context of the debate on the changes in the conditions of agricultural labourers. Another related concern is how the Worker-Population Ratios (WPR) of these labour households are affected by the large increase in the percentage of agricultural labour households and the changing economic conditions of these households over the period. In other words, is the entry of women into the workforce influenced by the changing economic position of these households?