Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Praveen Sinha WHO Country Office for India Praveen Sinha 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Nayanatara Subrao Nayak Center for Multi-disciplinary Development Research, Dharwad Nayanatara Subrao Nayak
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Bidi Rollers’ Livelihood Status, Skills and Options for Alternate Employment: Reporting from Selected Regions in India |
| Public title | Bidi Rollers’ Livelihood Status, Skills and Options for Alternate Employment: Reporting from Selected Regions in India |
| Background | Bidi rolling is an occupation embraced by lakhs of workers particularly women in India. Bidi rollers are found in around 16 states of India but, they are largely concentrated in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha and Tamil Nadu, which account for more than 95% of total bidi workers in the country. Bidi making is considered as a cottage industry as it is generally rolled by hands and uses agri based produce (tobacco leaves) and forest produce (tendu leaves). There are variations in estimation of bidi workers because only 10% of bidi rollers work in the factory premises while the remaining 90% work at home. According to the central Labour department (2023) , there are around 4.9 million bidi rollers in India. However, based on a sample survey of bidi roller households in five major bidi rolling states, Nayak (2018) estimates about 3.6 million population of bidi rollers in India. NSS estimates (1993–94) that around 74% of the tobacco-dependent employment is in bidi manufacturing and most of them are women. As per the National Sample Survey (NSS) -Fiftieth Round (1993–94) estimates, nearly 2,25,000 children wer |
| Objectives | • To examine the livelihood status of bidi rollers vis-à-vis non-bidi rollers [Livelihood status here refers to bidi rollers’ earnings, their living and the way they sustain themselves, including their assets, capabilities, and activities] • To assess the educational status of bidi rollers’ children [vis-à-vis non-bidi rollers • To identify the skills possessed by bidi rollers and explore the willingness of bidi rollers to embrace alternate employment • To identify the hurdles, if any, in shifting to alternate employment • To study current occupation of bidi rollers’ children and explore their future aspirations • To examine the impact of skill development programmes on the livelihood status of bidi rollers who have shifted from bidi rolling • To look at health profile of Bidi rollers at present and if they are facing any health hazards. |
| Study Methods | The study follows four approaches in collecting the required information for the study. First, the empirical survey of bidi and non- bidi rollers, second, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) with the members of the Bidi Rollers Associations, third tracing past bidi rollers if any who have shifted from bidi rolling after receiving skill development training and, fourthly desk reviews for examining the extent of institutional support extended to bidi rollers to shift to alternate employment through skilling. The study is based on both qualitative and quantitative information to be collected mainly from the respondents i.e. bidi rollers and non- rollers and, with those who have shifted to alternate employment. The study proposes to conduct theme based Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) as part of the empirical survey with the members of the Bidi Rollers Association in each district (if available) or with the members of the MP state Bidi Rollers’ Association centring around income disparities between bidi rolling and other occupations, availability of other employment opportunities, institutional benefits, availability of work and their perceptions about shifting from bidi rolling. The interview schedules will be administered to bidi and non-bidi rollers to elicit required information addressing the research questions and objectives. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | 1. Analysis of the survey with final report 2. Feasibility chart for alternate employment opportunities. 3. Advocacy for shifting from bidi rolling or the report on ground realities on the feasibility of shifting versus non- willingness of the bidi rollers in one of the major bidi rolling states 4. Listing the hurdles in the shifting of bidi rollers to alternate employment and their root causes 5. Drawing lessons from the past interventions in promoting alternate employment to bidi rollers 6. Mapping the aspirations of children of bidi rollers for a better future 7. Road map for future intervention 8. Submitting final technical report and |
| Keywords | Tobacco, Bidi, Alternative Livelihood |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-Mar-2026 |
| End Date | 30-Jun-2026 |
| Key Implementing Institution | CMDR |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | No |
| India | |
| Research Domain(s) | Non-communicable diseases & Healthy Lifestyles |
| Research field(s) | Non-communicable Disease |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Qualitative Study | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Final decision available |