Rural Poverty in Sarki Community of Nepal : A Case Study of Sipapokhare V.D.C. Sindhupalchok District

Abstract

The present study has focused on rural poverty in Sarki community of Nepal: A Case Study of Sipapokhare VDC in Sindhupalchok district. This study was conducted from July 2008 to Oct 2008. The study was mainly limited to household's survey of sipapokhare VDC, ward no. 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Out of 141 households, 50 HHs was selected with quota sampling and random sampling method. The study was mainly based on qualitative and quantitative research approach. Rural poverty is usually related to those rural people who are facing numbers of economic problems in sustaining their life. Two third population of the world is below poverty line. The poverty line includes the people with the earning of $1 per day. Mostly, Asian and African people are in below poverty line, though poverty is found all over the world and also the burning issue of the world. Poverty is broadly conceptualized in two categories one is absolute the other is relative poverty. The absolute sustain like. The relative poverty approach defines poverty relative to appropriates comparative group. Poverty in rural areas is highly based on land holding size. Poverty incidence is highest among landless marginal groups than among the small, medium and large landholders. In the study area the per capita income of Sarki has found NRs 8615.58 per capita expenditure NRs. 8838.38. This considered as absolute poverty which was calculated from local prices of the central, plus and other non-food items in the sample population male are 49.08 percent and female are 50.91 percent. The educational status of the sampled population 28.95 percentage are illiterate and 3.04 percentage are educated. The average family size is 5.46. Housing pattern is Hut and Tiled roof 52 percent small huts are 48 percent. Occupational status, agriculture 38 percent, non-agriculture 52 percent and cottage industries (leather work) 10 percent. Landholding pattern is 6 percent landless and 7-5 Ropani 14 Percent and 13 Ropani above 18 percent land owners. Causes of poverty are illiteracy, low wage, small land holding size and unproductive land, unemployment, high dependency ratio, lack of awareness and education program, costly practice of traditional rites and rituals, ceremonies and colorful festivals. The study has claimed that especially poor spend a large income amounts on alcohol, smoking and traditional festivals. To alleviate poverty in study area, the Sarki community should be provided land for cultivation and house for live. Improved livestock development, skill development training should be provided. Establishment of cottage industries, employment opportunities, should be provided, discouragement of bad habits. Compulsory and free education should be instituted for children. Most of labor forced engaged in agricultural sector should be transformed to other more production sector and agro-based industries should be established.