Resource Library

Reasons for Migrating Settlers as Urban Labourers

A Study Conducted in Mahayaya G.S. Division, Minipe

Author : Weerasinghe, Thilina

Publisher: Rural Development Training and Research Institute

Place of Publish: Sri Lanka, Colombo

Year: 1997

Page Numbers: 25

Acc. No: 2972

Class No: 331 WEE-SL

Category: Books & Reports

Subjects: Labour Economics

Type of Resource: Report

Languages: English

People engaged in agriculture in Sri Lanka are faced with a great crisis partly due to the influence of the open economy structure and links with capitalism. As there is no plan in place to ensure the sustenance of the traditional agricultural patterns, farmers are being pushed to migrate and look for alternate employment opportunities. As 72% of the total population is engaged in agriculture, the present crisis has become a complex socio-economic problem. This particular study has been carried out in Minipe, one of the earliest settlement schemes in Sri Lanka, in the Mahayaya Grama Niladhari Division. Informal discussions have been held with farmers, urban labourers, women living in the area, members of farmers’ organisations and NGOs. The objective of this study is to learn about the causes for people to become increasingly detached from rural agricultural activities and determine solutions to address the problem immediately.