This book is the first attempt to its kind to quantify the contribution of homestead ( and orchard) to family income in Assam, based on intensive micro=level survey of five villages. This study has made it quite apparent that although the produce raised in homestead (and orchard) is primarily meant for self-consumption there is no reason to under-estimate the contribution of this supplementary source of earning which can go a long way in alleviating rural poverty. This book is likely to prove highly useful to students, teachers and policy-makers, specially those who are interested in the field of rural economic development.