SURVEY OF TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT BLOCK - KOYYURU MANDAL VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT AP

Abstract

The comprehensive survey of Tribal Development Block, Koyyuru in Visakhapatnam district report throws light on the socio-economic conditions of tribals of this Block. The survey was undertaken with the five objectives i.e Geographical distribution, Occupational structure, Incidence of Indebtedness-effects of operations of Moneylenders, Development activities-Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation, Education, Health etc and final objective is the specific beliefs, customs, taboos and social institutions of Scheduled Tribes. Primary data was collected for 2822 tribal households in the Block. Besides the primary data, secondary data also collected from Block, Taluk, District and State Offices of various Departments. Koyyuru Block consists of 76 villages of Chintapali Taluk and all the 17 Scheduled villages of Narasipatnam Taluk. The surveyed tribal population constitute 88.46% to the total tribal population of the block respectively. 58.75% of the households are in the medium size. The average size of the household is 4.65. There is diversity of occupations, the tribals heavily depend upon agricultural sector. The tribal economy of this Block revolves on agriculture sector and its allied occupations. The introduction of money economy has been responsible for certain changes in the economy structure of tribals. Maximum number of tribal households (28.77%) is found in the income group of Rs 401-600. The average annual expenditure of a tribal household is this block works out to Rs. 745-14/-. Indebtedness problem, in its alarming dimension, is crippling the growth of tribal economy. Money lending system provides the munch needed scope for worst exploitation of the tribals. An attempt was made in this study to estimate the incidence of indebtedness; it causes and to assess how many lenders, cooperative societies and other Government Institutions are functioning as a source of credit to the tribals. The study reveals that 36.71% of the households are indebted. The household expenditure, famine and frequent crop failure, absence of saving habits, accustomed to spend large amounts for social ceremonies and festivals mainly responsible for indebtedness among the tribes. The study also discussed various developmental activities in this Block. The basic economic activities of tribals are agriculture, both shifting and settled, supplemented by collection of large number of minor forest products and agriculture labour. Land is one of the basic factors of production. The survey throws light on the land use pattern and the pressure on land also discussed in this report. The study also reveals the seeds, fertilizers, plant protection, green manure, soil conservation scheme, land alienation, Minor Irrigation, Animal husbandry etc programmes beneficiary and expenditure details in this report. The study delineates the various social and cultural life among the tribals in the block area. The study also given some suggestions and recommendations.