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Abstract
The trends in rural employment diversification, especially within agriculture in the eastern states of
India have been studied. The employment potential of different sub-sectors of agriculture has been
assessed to provide succour to the ever increasing problem of unemployment. Several socio-economic
factors affecting rural employment diversification towards non-farm sector and horticultural activities
have been examined by using logit models. The contribution of different socio-economic variables on
employment to non-farm sector and horticultural crops has been quantified by computing marginal
effects of each variable. The study has suggested that for reducing entry barriers to non-farm
employment opportunities, education and skill development will have to be strengthened. The tailor-made
training programmes should be arranged to enhance the probability of getting employed in nonfarm
activities. The participation in high-value agriculture can be ensured by improving the knowledge
and technical levels of the rural households in the eastern India.