A Report on Economic Classification and Development Priorities of Konda Reddis of Polavaram T.D.Block, West Godavari District

Abstract

Since the dawn of Independent, the tribal areas have witnessed changes on an unprecedented scale various spheres of life. Consequently, there are significant changes in the occupational structure and attitudes of tribals towards their traditional occupations. It is therefore necessary to take stock of prevailing occupational situations of tribes of Andhra Pradesh so as to fix up development priorities and a evolve suitable schemes for each tribe of the State. It is with this aim; a study of Economic Classification and Development priorities is undertaken. This monograph pertains to such study among Konda Reddis of Godavari gorges who had changed their occupation from shifting cultivation to settled cultivation in recent times. Basin on concentration and nature of occupation, Polavaram TD Block has been selected and by purposive sampling methods, three villages and a hamlet viz. Tutigunta, Tekur, Cheeduru and Tanalakunta have been selected and 100 households from Konda Reddy tribe were studies. The tools used in this attempt were observation, interview and canvasing of schedules. The various aspects of economic as well as social life of Konda Reddi tribe have been discussed in details in this monograph. Land is the main source of livelihood for Konda Reddis. Most of them are settled cultivators. The main occupation pressured by majority of landless Konda Reddis is agricultural labour mostly casual. Generally, there will not be any migrations associated with their occupations. Most of the rituals and festivals practiced by them are connected with agriculture. The debt position of Konda Reddis is awfully merge. Except for their occupational expenditure, they are approaching money lenders, both tribal and non-tribal for all the other purposes who are changing as much as 100% rate of interest and nearly 75% of their marketable surplus is going for the redemption of debts. They are facing so many difficulties to continue Podu, it is still under practice. They are being robbed by the monopolistic purchases by private merchants who offer very low prices for their agricultural products. The problems of low production, inefficient cultivators, land concentration, well economic returning, lack of sufficient timely credit, suitable agrarian pattern and vent of effective organization for marketing of agricultural produce are the correlated factors which retard the economic advancement of these Konda Reddis. In light of prevalence of the above implements, the various suggestions also mentioned in this monograph.