Rural and Urban Livelihoods

 

Rural and Urban Livelihoods

 

Livelihood refers to the work, occupation, or job that one does to earn a source of income. There are various occupations available that one can follow to earn a living to meet their basic needs, support their families, and improve their quality of life. One can do fishing, agriculture, mining, banking, teaching or producing goods and services, etc. These economic activities can be grouped into three sectors based on their nature and relationship to the production and distribution of goods and services. These three sectors are: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary occupations.

 

Primary occupations can be defined as occupations which are directly connected to nature, for example, agriculture, animal rearing, mining, and fishing. Agriculture involves growing crops like wheat in the soil. Mining involves extracting (taking out) minerals from the Earth. 

Secondary occupations are those which convert raw materials obtained from nature into more. useful products, for example, manufacturing. Manufacturing involves converting natural or primary products like wheat or minerals into finished products like flour or metals respectively. The secondary occupation add value to the products (finished) obtained by primary sector (raw material). Secondary occupation process and make goods ready for consumption. 

Tertiary occupations can be defined as occupations which provide services to people. No item is produced through such occupations, for example, trade, transport, teaching, banking, post, etc. People engaged in primary, secondary and tertiary occupations/sectors are dependent on each other. A farmer grows crops, which are required by a manufacturer to make products. Both the farmer and the manufacturer depend on transporters to transport their goods. They also depend on banks for loans.

 

In our country, people in rural and urban areas make their living in different ways. While agriculture is the main occupation in rural areas, people in urban areas are chiefly employed in factories, trade, and services. 

 

Inter-linkage of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Activities
Primary Activities ↓	Secondary Activities ↓	Tertiary Activities ↓
Provide raw material	Convert raw material into finished goods	Transport the finished goods; Provide services

 

RURAL LIVELIHOODS

 

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the chief occupation of people in the villages. In fact, nearly two-thirds of the people in our country depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Depending on the size of land they own, farmers can be grouped into the following Categories

 

Large farmers: These farmers own large plots of lands (usually between 5 hectares to hundreds of hectares) and are quite rich. In fact, they own most of the land in the village. They mainly grow crops for sale. They do not work on their farms. They employ labourers to cultivate crops in their fields. They use modern agricultural machinery and equipment in the farms. They use good quality seeds and pesticides to increase crop output, and also have access to irrigation facilities.

 

One-fifth of the farmers in our country belong to this group. As they earn a lot of money by selling their produce, they often run small businesses, such as shops, small factories or mills, etc., in rural areas. They also lend money to people in the village.

 

Small farmers: These farmers own smaller plots of land than large farmers. They usually have 2-5 hectares of land. They do not have much money. They grow crops mainly for subsistence, i.e., to meet their family's food requirements. The farmers and their families work on the fields themselves.

They do not employ labourers to work on their fields. They generally use simple tools and implements. If required, they rent farm machinery such as tractors and threshers. They usually have to borrow money from money-lenders or traders to buy good quality seeds and pesticides. In return for the loan, they often have to sell their produce at low prices to the traders. Nearly four- fifth of farmers in our country belong to this group.

 

Agricultural labourers: Nearly two-fifths of the people living in rural areas are farm labourers. They are either farmers who own very little land or landless farmers. Farmers who own very little land are called marginal farmers. They are usually quite poor. They barely produce enough food to meet their family's requirements. As they do not earn much from their land, they also work on other people's farms to earn money. Farmers who do not have any land of their own are called landless farmers. They work on other people's farms to earn money.

 

They are often paid very little for their work. Their work is not regular, i.e., they usually work on farms for a couple of months in a year during the sowing and harvesting seasons. For the remaining part of the year, they are forced to travel outside the village to find work. As they are quite poor, they usually borrow money to make ends meet.

 

AGRICULTURE AND DEBT

We know that most of the farmers in our country do not have enough money to buy good quality seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides for their farms. They usually end up taking loans from money- lenders or banks at high interest rates to buy these basic things. As most farmers do not have funds to irrigate their fields, agriculture in our country is still heavily dependent on monsoons. In case the rain fails to come on time or there isn't enough rainfall, the crops fail. Sometimes, crops get destroyed because of too much rainfall or due to action of pests.

 

With no crop to sell, the farmers have no way of paying back their loans. They do not even have any means of feeding their families. This forces them to borrow some more money to grow a new crop and to meet the needs of their families. Over time, these loans become so big that the farmers are unable to pay them back completely. In the past few years, this situation has become quite common in our country. Troubled by mounting debt, many farmers have even been forced to commit suicide.

 

REARING CATTLE AND POULTRY

Besides agriculture, many people in rural areas also rear cattle like cows, buffaloes, and goats. Cows and buffaloes are reared for their milk. They are also used to plough fields. Goats are reared for their milk as well as meat. People also raise poultry like chickens and ducks for their meat and eggs They may either consume the meat and eggs themselves or sell it in the market.

 

DAIRY FARMING

Dairy farming is a major source of livelihood for many rural families. Dairy farmers raise a number of cattle like cows for their milk. They usually sell the milk in the village or nearby towns. At times. they make products from the milk, such as cheese, butter, cream, etc., and sell them in the market. Many dairy farmers also sell milk to cooperative societies in their villages. Such milk cooperatives ensure dairy farmers get a fair price for their milk. The cooperatives also take care of transporting the milk and selling it in the market. Amul is an example of a milk cooperative society.

 

 

FISHING

Fishing is a major occupation in villages along the coast. Groups of fishermen usually go out to the sea in boats to catch fish. They keep aside some of the fish caught for their families and auction the rest. The money they earn from the auction is divided among all the fishermen in the group. They often do not own boats or nets and have to rent them. Therefore, some of the money from the auction is also given as rent for the equipment. Sometimes, fishermen take loans from the bank to buy equipment like engines so they can go further into the sea and catch more fish. Fishing cannot be practiced throughout the year.

 

Fishermen do not go out to the sea during the monsoon season. During this time, they are usually forced to borrow money from traders. In return, they have to sell their fish to the traders at very low rates once the fishing season begins again.

 

OTHER OCCUPATIONS

Villages usually have craftspersons, such as potters, basket-makers, utensil-makers, brick- makers, etc. Some people provide services. Tailors make clothes, blacksmiths make tools, carpenters make ploughs and carts, weavers weave clothes, washermen and women wash clothes, barbers cut hair, mechanics repair cycles and small vehicles, etc. Most of them work from small shops or their homes. Besides shops of barbers, tailors, etc, most villages also have grocery shops, tea shops, snacks shops, fertiliser and seed shops, etc. Some villages also have teachers, nurses, and postal workers. Unlike urban areas, the number of people engaged in trade and services in the villages is small. Sometimes when no work is available in the village, some people go to nearby urban areas to work in construction sites or transport companies.

 

TYPES OF WORKERS IN URBAN AREAS

India has 300 big cities with more than 50 cities having a population of over 1 million and more than 7900 towns. Unlike villages, people in these urban areas are mostly engaged in secondary and tertiary occupations. People in urban areas are either self-employed, or they are employed as casual or permanent workers.

 

Self-employed people are those who have their own business such as shops or factories. They are not employed by anyone. They often employ other people to work for them. Casual or seasonal workers are those who are employed for short durations of time, depending on when the employer needs them. 

They are usually paid at the end of each day or as soon as they complete the work. Therefore, they are also known as daily wage labourers. They have to work very long hours in poor working conditions. If they complain, they lose their jobs. They can even be asked to leave if the amount of work decreases. Examples include labourers, carpenters, tailors, construction workers, etc.

 

Regular workers are those who work throughout the year in private or government offices, factories, etc. They go to office every day and get a regular salary. Their work is clearly defined and they are not asked to leave if their office or factory has little work. Unlike casual workers, they get a number of benefits. They do not have to work on Sundays and holidays. They can even take leave if they fall sick. Some companies pay medical bills for them and their families. They also get pension. Under the pension scheme, a part of a worker's salary goes to a fund set up by the government. The worker earns an interest on the amount. When the worker retires, he gets the money and the interest amount so he can live comfortably in old age.

 

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIES

Many cities in our country have grown up around large industries. For example, Ahmedabad and Mumbai emerged as large cities due to their thriving textile industries. These industries employ a large number of people as regular or casual labourers. Many cities have factories which produce a number of items, such as footwear, garments, machines, furniture, etc. They are usually located away from the cities. Factories usually have separate workshops or units where raw materials like cloth are converted step-by-step into finished products likes garments.

 

People working in factories include managers, designers, engineers, machine operators, and labourers. Many labourers employed in factories are casual workers. Some factories work continuously all day. Workers work on a machine for a certain amount of time every day, also known as a shift. At the end of the shift, their work is taken over by another set of workers.

 

 

SERVICES

 

SHOPKEEPERS

Many people in cities own shops. They are not employed by anyone. They usually run their own shops or employ other people to work under them. Shops can be small or large. They sell different things, such as paints, crockery, electronics, footwear, clothes, groceries, books, etc. Nowadays, there are many large malls that have opened up in cities. They usually have a number of shops in them. Markets in cities also have a large number of shops. Shopkeepers usually need a license from the Municipal Corporation to open a shop in the market. The Municipal Corporation also decides on which days a market will remain closed during the week.

 

STREET WORKERS

In cities, a number of people also sell goods on the streets. They do not own shops, but sell their wares from street sides or carts. They are known as vendors or hawkers. There are as many as one crore vendors and hawkers in urban India today Vendors are usually not employed by other people. 

Unlike shopkeepers, they do not have permanent places where they sell their goods from. They usually move around the city, stopping in particular areas for a while. The police can ask them to move away from an area any time. Vendors usually sell things prepared by them or their families at home such as snacks, juices, or tea, etc. Besides this, they also sell a variety of small items, such as bottles, pins, bangles, boxes, fruits, vegetables, etc.

 

Till recently, vendors were considered a nuisance to traffic and people. The government had even passed a law banning street vendors. But now the attitude towards them has changed. The government is thinking of changing the law which banned vendors. Many cities and towns are considering setting up separate zones for vendors and hawkers, where they can sell their wares.

 

Besides vendors, there are many other people in the city who work on the street. For example, rickshaw pullers, taxi drivers, cobblers, barbers, florists, etc.

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

There are many doctors, teachers, nurses, bankers, postmen, drivers, government officials who work in the city. Another major source of employment in these days are Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) units that have emerged as important service providers. They deal with complaints and questions from customers over the telephone regarding particular company's a product or service. 

Call centres are also known as BPO units For example, a call centre for a mobile phone company will answer questions about how to use the mobile phone and download songs and movies on it. It will also register a complaint if the mobile phone gets damaged or stops working.

 

MIGRATION

Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another. There are many reasons which force people to move to another place-debt crop failure, lack of work, natural calamity, better job, etc. These days, many villagers are migrating to cities for education or work. They provide cheap labour to many businesses and factories in the city. But their migration has also resulted in overcrowding of cities. This has in turn created problems of housing, sanitation, and infrastructure in the cities.

 

URBAN-RURAL LINK

Urban areas and rural areas are interdependent. Urban areas serve as big markets for food and other products made in the villages. Large amounts of food grains, fabric, oilseeds, oil, fruits, vegetables, poultry items, etc., produced in villages get marketed in urban areas. 

Urban areas also provide employment to rural people when there is no work in the villages. Similarly, rural areas provide most of the food to urban areas. They serve as important sources of raw materials for factories and industries in the cities. They also provide cheap labour to the cities.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT

Due to linkage between urban and rural area, there has been a vast amount of migration of people from rural to urban areas. Though, employment opportunities are available in both rural and urban areas, there are many people who do not find jobs. This leads to large scale unemployment in the country. 

This may be due to lack of skills, or poor educational background. Thus, a number of measures have been taken for the removal of poverty and unemployment in India.

 

The National Rural Employment Act,

It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

 

The Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana,

Under this scheme, the educated unemployed people from rural and urban areas who are from low income families were given financial help by the government.

 

Start Up India

'Startup India' is a scheme of the Government of India to encourage new ventures and increase the country's employment level. It focuses on developing new skills and ideas for startups to flourish. This scheme, in turn, would create many employment opportunities and thereby reduce poverty. The government also gives financial aid or loan assistance for new ventures.

 

Stand-Up India

It was launched by the Government of India to support entrepreneurship among women and SC & ST communities. The scheme aims to provide loans between 10 lakhs and 21 crore for setting up a greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, trading or services sector. This would lead to reduction in poverty level and thereby, increase the employment opportunities.

 

New Terms
Livelihood	Livelihood, occupation, refers to the work people do to earn money.
Primary occupations	Occupations which are directly connected to nature; include agriculture, fishing, and mining.
Secondary occupations	Involve processing of primary products
Tertiary occupations	Occupations which provide services to people; include education, health, transport, and trade.
Large farmers	Own large plots of lands and are quite rich, they mainly grow crops for sale; they do not work on their farms but employ labourers to cultivate crops.
Subsistence agriculture	Refers to a type of farming where a farmer grows crops to meet his family's food requirements.
Small farmers	Own smaller plots of land than large farmers; grow crops mainly for subsistence; the farmers and their families work on the fields themselves.
Marginal farmers	Own very little land; they barely produce enough food to meet their family's requirements; they also work on other people's farms to earn money.

 

 

MCQs on Livelihoods (With Answers & Explanations)

 

1. What is a livelihood?

A) A way of spending free time

B) A means of earning money to sustain life

C) A social activity

D) A government scheme

 

Answer: B) A means of earning money to sustain life

Explanation: Livelihood refers to the means and resources people use to earn a living, including skills, work, and financial support.

 

2. Which of the following is NOT a primary occupation?

A) Fishing

B) Agriculture

C) Teaching

D) Mining

 

Answer: C) Teaching

Explanation: Primary occupations involve natural resource extraction (e.g., farming, fishing, mining). Teaching is a tertiary sector activity as it provides services.

 

3. The secondary sector is also known as the:

A) Service sector

B) Manufacturing sector

C) Agricultural sector

D) Information technology sector

 

Answer: B) Manufacturing sector

Explanation: The secondary sector includes industries that process raw materials (like steel and textiles) into finished products.

 

4. Which sector provides services instead of goods?

A) Primary

B) Secondary

C) Tertiary

D) None of the above

 

Answer: C) Tertiary

Explanation: The tertiary sector includes services like banking, education, healthcare, and tourism.

 

5. What is the main occupation of people in rural areas?

A) Agriculture

B) Software development

C) Transport services

D) Banking

 

Answer: A) Agriculture

Explanation: A majority of rural people depend on farming and related activities for their livelihood.

 

6. Farmers who own very small plots of land are called:

A) Large farmers

B) Marginal farmers

C) Industrialists

D) Commercial farmers

 

Answer: B) Marginal farmers

Explanation: Marginal farmers own less than 1 hectare of land and often struggle with low income.

 

7. Which of the following is an example of subsistence farming?

A) Farming for export

B) Farming for personal consumption

C) Large-scale commercial farming

D) Farming using high technology

 

Answer: B) Farming for personal consumption

Explanation: In subsistence farming, farmers produce only enough food for their own needs, with little or no surplus for sale.

 

8. What is the main reason farmers take loans?

A) To build houses

B) To purchase seeds, fertilizers, and tools

C) To buy vehicles

D) To go on vacation

 

Answer: B) To purchase seeds, fertilizers, and tools

Explanation: Farmers borrow money to buy essential inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and machinery for farming.

 

9. What is disguised unemployment?

A) More people working than needed

B) A situation where people work overtime

C) A situation where people refuse to work

D) Unemployment due to technology

 

Answer: A) More people working than needed

Explanation: Disguised unemployment occurs when more people work in a job than required, reducing productivity (e.g., extra labor on small farms).

 

10. The majority of farmers in India belong to which category?

A) Large farmers

B) Landlords

C) Small and marginal farmers

D) Industrial workers

 

Answer: C) Small and marginal farmers

Explanation: Over 80% of Indian farmers own small landholdings, making them economically vulnerable.

 

11. What is migration?

A) Movement of people from one place to another

B) Growth of industries

C) Government employment schemes

D) Urbanization

 

Answer: A) Movement of people from one place to another

Explanation: Migration occurs when people move from villages to cities or between countries for better jobs.

 

12. Why do fishermen avoid fishing during monsoon?

A) The government bans it

B) It is dangerous due to rough seas

C) They go on holiday

D) Fish are unavailable

 

Answer: B) It is dangerous due to rough seas

Explanation: Monsoon season makes the sea rough, making fishing unsafe for small boats.

 

13. Which of these is an informal sector job?

A) Street vendor

B) Government teacher

C) Bank employee

D) Factory manager

 

Answer: A) Street vendor

Explanation: Informal jobs have no job security, fixed wages, or benefits like pensions.

 

14. Which of the following is a formal sector job?

A) Street vendor

B) Factory worker with social security

C) Daily wage laborer

D) Rickshaw puller

 

Answer: B) Factory worker with social security

Explanation: Formal sector jobs provide job security, fixed wages, and benefits like insurance.

 

15. What does NREGA guarantee?

A) Free education for all

B) 100 days of wage employment in rural India

C) Free healthcare

D) Food security

 

Answer: B) 100 days of wage employment in rural India

Explanation: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides rural employment.

 

16. What is urban livelihood?

A) Work related to farming

B) Work related to industries and services

C) Work related to fishing

D) Work related to village administration

 

Answer: B) Work related to industries and services

Explanation: Urban livelihoods involve factories, offices, shops, and services in cities.

 

17. Which of the following is a self-employed person?

A) Government teacher

B) Factory worker

C) Street vendor

D) Bank clerk

 

Answer: C) Street vendor

Explanation: Self-employed people run small businesses without fixed salaries.

 

18. Which Indian city is famous for textiles?

A) Patna

B) Ahmedabad

C) Jaipur

D) Dehradun

 

Answer: B) Ahmedabad

Explanation: Ahmedabad is known for its cotton textile industry.

 

19. What is seasonal unemployment?

A) Job loss due to weather

B) Employment available only in specific seasons

C) Unemployment due to recession

D) Unemployment caused by lack of education

 

Answer: B) Employment available only in specific seasons

Explanation: Seasonal unemployment occurs when jobs are available only during planting/harvesting seasons.

 

20. How do rural and urban areas depend on each other?

A) Rural areas provide food, and urban areas provide markets and jobs

B) Urban areas provide land for farming

C) Rural areas depend on urban areas for education only

D) There is no interdependence

 

Answer: A) Rural areas provide food, and urban areas provide markets and jobs

Explanation: Villages supply food & raw materials, while cities offer jobs & markets for trade.

 

21. Which of the following is NOT a feature of informal employment?

A) Lack of job security

B) Irregular wages

C) Government-provided benefits

D) No fixed working hours

 

Answer: C) Government-provided benefits

Explanation: Informal jobs (e.g., street vendors, daily wage laborers) lack social security, fixed wages, and other government benefits.

 

22. Which Indian government scheme provides skill training for employment?

A) Midday Meal Scheme

B) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

C) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

D) MGNREGA

 

Answer: B) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

Explanation: PMKVY provides skill development training to youth for better employment opportunities.

 

23. What is the main occupation in desert regions of India?

A) Fishing

B) Nomadic herding

C) Tea plantation

D) Mining

 

Answer: B) Nomadic herding

Explanation: In deserts like Rajasthan, people practice pastoral nomadism, raising camels, sheep, and goats for survival.

 

24. What is the primary reason for rural-to-urban migration in India?

A) Better weather

B) Availability of modern lifestyle

C) Better job opportunities

D) Lack of government schools

 

Answer: C) Better job opportunities

Explanation: People migrate to cities in search of higher wages and stable jobs due to lack of employment in rural areas.

 

25. Which of these is an example of gig economy work?

A) Permanent government job

B) Street vending

C) App-based delivery jobs

D) Office receptionist

 

Answer: C) App-based delivery jobs

Explanation: Gig workers work on-demand for companies like Zomato, Uber, and Swiggy without fixed salaries.

 

26. What is the full form of MSME?

A) Medium and Small Managed Enterprises

B) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

C) Major Small and Medium Enterprises

D) Multi-State Manufacturing Enterprises

 

Answer: B) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

Explanation: MSMEs contribute significantly to India’s economy by providing jobs and promoting entrepreneurship.

 

27. What is the primary livelihood source for tribal communities?

A) IT jobs

B) Factory work

C) Forest-based activities

D) Retail business

 

Answer: C) Forest-based activities

Explanation: Tribal communities often depend on hunting, gathering, and forest products like honey and medicinal plants.

 

28. Which state is the largest producer of tea in India?

A) Kerala

B) Tamil Nadu

C) Assam

D) Himachal Pradesh

 

Answer: C) Assam

Explanation: Assam is the largest tea-producing state in India, contributing significantly to the global tea market.

 

29. What does 'Blue Economy' refer to?

A) Manufacturing industries

B) Ocean-based economic activities

C) E-commerce businesses

D) Water conservation schemes

 

Answer: B) Ocean-based economic activities

Explanation: The Blue Economy includes fishing, marine tourism, shipping, and ocean energy industries.

 

30. What is an SHG (Self-Help Group)?

A) A sports team

B) A group of people saving money together

C) A business corporation

D) A government body

 

Answer: B) A group of people saving money together

Explanation: SHGs are small groups (especially women) who collect savings, take loans, and start small businesses.

 

31. What is the primary occupation in coastal areas?

A) Farming

B) Fishing

C) Mining

D) Factory work

 

Answer: B) Fishing

Explanation: Fishing is the main livelihood in coastal states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

 

32. What is a cooperative society?

A) A government body

B) A large corporate company

C) A group of people running a business together

D) A charity organization

 

Answer: C) A group of people running a business together

Explanation: Cooperatives are businesses owned by members who share profits and benefits, such as Amul (dairy cooperative).

 

33. What is the largest employment sector in India?

A) IT sector

B) Manufacturing

C) Agriculture

D) Transport

 

Answer: C) Agriculture

Explanation: Agriculture employs over 40% of India’s workforce, making it the largest employment sector.

 

34. What is the role of NABARD in rural livelihoods?

A) Provides health services

B) Funds rural infrastructure and agriculture

C) Conducts elections

D) Builds highways

 

Answer: B) Funds rural infrastructure and agriculture

Explanation: NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) provides loans and support for rural development.

 

35. Which of these is an example of organic farming?

A) Using chemical fertilizers

B) Using natural compost and bio-pesticides

C) Large-scale farming for exports

D) Growing only genetically modified crops

 

Answer: B) Using natural compost and bio-pesticides

Explanation: Organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals, using natural fertilizers like cow dung and compost.

 

36. What is meant by 'Fair Trade' products?

A) Goods sold at high prices

B) Products made by large corporations

C) Ethically sourced goods that ensure fair wages to producers

D) Products sold in government stores

 

Answer: C) Ethically sourced goods that ensure fair wages to producers

Explanation: Fair Trade ensures farmers and workers get fair wages for their products.

 

37. Which is a government initiative to promote startups in India?

A) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

B) Startup India

C) Make in India

D) Digital India

 

Answer: B) Startup India

Explanation: Startup India provides support to new businesses through loans, tax benefits, and funding.

 

38. Which state is the largest producer of spices in India?

A) Gujarat

B) Kerala

C) Uttar Pradesh

D) Punjab

 

Answer: B) Kerala

Explanation: Kerala is famous for producing black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg.

 

39. What does FPO stand for in agriculture?

A) Farmers Productivity Organization

B) Farmer Producer Organization

C) Food Processing Outlet

D) Fertilizer Production Order

 

Answer: B) Farmer Producer Organization

Explanation: FPOs help farmers collectively buy inputs, sell produce, and improve profits.

 

40. What is the main source of employment for women in rural India?

A) IT sector

B) Teaching

C) Agriculture and handicrafts

D) Construction

 

Answer: C) Agriculture and handicrafts

Explanation: Women are heavily involved in farming, dairy work, and traditional handicrafts in rural India.

 

41. What is 'Handloom Industry' known for?

A) Machine-made textiles

B) Handmade textiles using traditional methods

C) Importing fabrics from foreign countries

D) Selling raw cotton

 

Answer: B) Handmade textiles using traditional methods

Explanation: Handloom weaving is a major livelihood in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.