The Impact of Floods on Livelihoods of Farmers in Bagalkot District of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Aim: The study investigates the impact of floods on farm income and livelihoods of farmers in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, focusing on the years 2019 and 2020. Study Design: Multi stage purposive sampling technique was adopted to collect the data. Place and Duration of Study: Bagalkot district of Northern Karnataka was selected for the study. Methodology: The study is based on primary data collected from 90 respondents belonging to Ghataprabha and Krishna river basin in Mudhol (45) and Jamakhandi (45) taluks. Descriptive statistics is used to analyses the data. Results: The results revealed substantial losses in farm infrastructure, including residences, farm buildings, pump houses, and cattle sheds, with significant financial implications. During 2019, the average loss incurred by the sample households from all the sources was Rs. 8,55,540 against which Rs. 99,222 was paid as compensation by the Government which accounts for 11.59 per cent of the total loss. Similarly, during 2020, the average loss incurred by the respondents was Rs. 4,05,373 against which only Rs. 41,277 was paid as compensation from the state Government which accounts for 10.18 per cent of the total loss. Moreover, floods led to on-farm and off-farm income losses, with severe implications for livelihoods. Coping mechanisms employed by farmers included selling farm produce, livestock, and valuable assets, as well as borrowing credit from various sources. Conclusion: The compensation given by the government is very less as compared to loss incurred. On time release of compensation is required to coping with disaster.  The persistent challenges faced by farmers in mitigating the impacts of floods on their livelihoods. Therefore, there is need for a separate disaster management policy especially for northern districts of Karnataka which faces severe flooding during monsoon period.