Sustainability Assessment of Tribal Rice Farming in Wayanad, Kerala, India

Abstract

Agriculture remains the primary livelihood of tribal communities in Wayanad district, Kerala, traditionally centered on rice cultivation. However, declining profitability, environmental degradation, policy shifts toward cash crops, and climate change have challenged the sustainability of tribal rice farming. This study aims to assess the sustainability of tribal rice farming using a composite index integrating social, economic, and environmental indicators. The study was conducted across three Agro Ecological Units (AEUs 15, 20, and 21) of Wayanad district. One panchayat with the highest area under rice cultivation and significant tribal population was selected from each AEU. Data were collected from 90 tribal rice farmers and supplemented with inputs from focus group discussions involving officials and social activists. A holistic sustainability model was employed to compute composite sustainability indices. Results revealed an overall sustainability score of 70 per cent, with environmental sustainability ranking highest (79 per cent), followed by social (73 per cent) and economic sustainability (59 per cent). The findings indicate that while tribal rice farming performs strongly in environmental conservation and social dimensions, economic sustainability remains comparatively weaker. Overall, traditional tribal rice farming demonstrates a balanced and sustainable agricultural model, contributing to environmental preservation and community food security.