Abstract:
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a flagship programme
introduced by the Government of India with an objective of providing secured
livelihood to the rural poor. Participation in NRLM is voluntary. Therefore, it can
be assumed that various socio-economic factors affect the participation decision.
Thus, this paper is carried out with the objective of determining different socio-
economic factors that affect participation decision in Sonepur district of Odisha,
India. Data are collected from 220 respondents (120 beneficiaries and 100 non-
beneficiaries) using a structured questionnaire. A binary probit model is used to
examine the probability of participation. The study finds that educational
qualification and land holding have significant positive effects on participation
decision. Findings conclude that the programme should try to include those who
are having cultivated land; so that, their lands can be utilised in on-farm activities