Food Insecurity and Temporary Migration of Youth in India

The agrarian economy of India continues to be a major source for providing food throughout the country, although, in the past two decades, the economy has grown at remarkable rates; however, the impact of high economic growth on food securi-ty has been to a certain extent minimal. This weak correlation between economic growth and food security in India has forced people to migrate from rural to urban areas. Using primary data collected from 60 youth migrants in Bargarh district of western Odisha, India, this paper examines the linkage between food insecurity and temporary migration. The results indicate that, food insecurity which is asso-ciated with household's limited handholding or no lands plays an important role in the migration decision process, which is characterized by aspirations, planning and final decision to migrate. Migration has become a key component of livelihood strategies for an increasing number of rural households in the region.