Struggling for stability: Livelihood security and system analysis of Iruliga Tribes in Ramanagara

The study was conducted in Ramanagara district to assess the livelihood security of the Iruliga tribes during 2023–24. Primary data was gathered from 120 randomly selected households through personal interviews using an ex-post-facto research design. The results revealed that 41.17 per cent of respondents had medium livelihood security, with 43.33 per cent in Ramanagara taluk and 45.00 per cent in Magadi taluk. About 48.33 per cent had high food security, while 50.83 per cent had medium health security. Financial security was medium for 61.67 per cent, and transportation security was low for 52.50 per cent of respondents. Agricultural labor was the dominant livelihood source, engaging 95.83 per cent of households and contributing 54.62 per cent of total income. Livestock rearing (56.67%) and agriculture (55.83%) were also major income contributors. The most prevalent livelihood pattern combined agriculture, wage labor, and livestock (22.50%), with agricultural labor taking up the most time (62.53%). Sericulture was seen as the riskiest livelihood (66.67%), while those in government and semi-government jobs had the highest technical competency. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to strengthen the economic resilience of the Iruliga tribes.