OAR@ICRISATA comparative Assessment of Social Safety Net Programs in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh: Impact on Smallholder Agriculture and Rural LivelihoodsMBhattaraiauthorB LVaralakshmi authorM C SBantilanauthorThis paper has presented a comparative assessment of impact of major social safety nets (SSN) in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, by conducting a village based assessment. The study has used the database of selected components of panel household survey data compiled by ICRISAT. This was supplemented by focus group discussions and key informant survey in each of the six villages from AP and MP selected for the assessment: four villages in AP and two villages in MP. The results have suggested that institutionalized government SSN programs like Public Distribution System (PDS), National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAP), Mid-day Meal (school) programme and subsidies on rural infrastructure (inputs on house, toilets) are widespread across the study villages; and these programs have played a vital role in reducing the economic vulnerability and distress in farming specially of agricultural labour households. In comparison to MP, the rural households in AP have been found relying more on the governmental SSN. Contradictory to the objectives of SSN programs, the underprivileged labour class households were least benefited in the study villages. However, in Madhya Pradesh, labour class households were getting more benefits than the other three classes of farm households. According to the study, the MGNREGS has been able to address the needs of poor and vulnerable households in coping with the economic backwardness through achieving employment and food security, economic sustainability, and increased productivity of labour.The program has also led to enhancing the poor and vulnerable households’ asset base and breaking their indept-cycle.Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics2013Agricultural Economics Research AssociationArticle

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