Promoting Sustainable Livelihood through Skill Development Among the Rural Youth in Manipur.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine sustainable livelihood through skill development among the rural youth in Manipur. Skill development is demanded for economic growth and inclusive development; hence rural youth population cannot be overlooked. About 50 percent of the labour force is currently self-employed (Labour Report, 2014); besides, youth are the most important and dynamic segment of the population which contribute about 34 percent of India’s Gross National Income (NYP, 2014).

The study discusses the existing Government skill development programs with reference to sustainable livelihood in rural areas. The study revealed that skill development among the rural youth will fetch self-employment opportunity and consequently it will result to sustainable livelihood. Further, revealed that in order to promote sustainable livelihood through skill development the rural youth need practicable updated knowledge rather than traditional training with dull lectures or thick manuals. The study suggested state youth policy shall be implemented in letter and in spirit incorporating agro-based skill training; centre and state shall more invest on program like ‘start-up’ schemes for SC and ST in remote rural areas; finally, market shall be look after by the Government.