Analysis of Livelihood Systems of Small and Marginal Farmers in Rainfed Ecosystem

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Gadag and Bagalkot districts of Karnataka state during 2022-23. This paper emphasises the analysis of livelihood systems of small and marginal farmers in rainfed ecosystem in north Karnataka by employing “Ex-post facto” research design and by using random sampling technique in Gadag and Bagalkot districts constituting 80 small farmers and 80 marginal farmers there by making a total sample size of 160 farmers. A high per cent of small farmers (32.50%) and marginal farmers (18.75%) engaged in 'Agriculture + Livestock' system as the major source of their livelihood. agriculture constitutes the most important source of income for small farmers (96.25%) and marginal farmers (93.75%) followed by livestock (71.25% and 53.75%, respectively). Rainfed agriculture is particularly vulnerable to unpredictable weather conditions, which may explain why small and marginal farmers prefer agriculture mixed with livestock as the primary livelihood strategy in rainfed environments. Farmers protect themselves against crop losses by adding livestock into their agricultural practices.