Cover Story: Dalit Livelihoods

Dalits account for more than 16 per cent of India’s population. Majority of them belong to the poorest sections of the society and predominantly based in rural India. While a small percentage are small and marginal farmers, many of them are engaged as agricultural wage labourers. Where dalits got opportunities and access to resources, they proved to be on par with rest of population in delivering products and services. They have excelled in what they do. There is a huge untapped potential amongst the dalits. Multiple opportunities should be created by various stakeholders at all levels to unfold this potential.