Dercon, S., Krishnan, P. and Krutikova, S.

Changing living standards in Southern Indian villages 1975-2006: revisiting the ICRISAT village level studies

Journal of Development Studies

Vol. 49(12) pp. 1676-1693 (2013)

Abstract: We study changes in living conditions using longitudinal data covering 30 years in six villages in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, initially surveyed during 1975-1984, and resurveyed in recent years, as part of the ICRISAT Village Level Studies. Monetary welfare indicators (such as incomes, assets, consumption and poverty) and non-monetary indicators of well-being (such as basic literacy, education, health and subjective well-being) have improved considerably. Consumption growth is linked to literacy and education at baseline. Other assets, such as land, have a neglible impact, suggesting that labour and human capital have been instrumental for growth in these villages.Change involved a large increase in various off-farm activities.

Author links: Pramila Krishnan  

Publisher's Link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00220388.2013.819423#.UsVwqfukOy8