INTEREST MAPPING OF RETURNEE LABOUR MIGRANTS ON ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A CASE FROM KARNALI PROVINCE, NEPAL

The purpose of this study was to map the interest of the labor migrants on alternative livelihood options, who were forced to return home due to Covid-19 pandemic impact. This study employed mixed method- both quantitative and qualitative to gather and analyse information. A semi structured interview was conducted with 238 randomly selected returnee migrants from 17 municipalities of Karnali province, who have returned to their home due to Covid-19 effects from different country during March-June2020. Furthermore, three focused group discussions were conducted with local government elected representatives and staff to assess the local level policies and program to support the integration of returnee migrants at their society. The findings revealed that irrespective of the sex, age, country they have returned and duration of the stay, 90% of the respondent wanted to stay at home and start some enterprise for their livelihood. Among these who want to start enterprise, 90% of them have shown their interest in agriculture enterprising. Within the agriculture sector, the vegetable, goat and poultry subsector were the most preferred agri-enterprising by the returnee migrants. Based on the findings, this study suggests that the local governments need to formulate their policies, program and resources to promote such agricultural enterprising specially targeting to returnee migrants for creating self-employment to integrate returnee migrants locally.