Socio-personal Characteristics of Ecological Farmers of Nagaland in Terms of Food Security

Abstract

The present study focuses on the socio-personal characteristics of ecological farmers with food security in Nagaland. An Ex-Post facto research design was used for the present study. The study was conducted in Nagaland state during the year 2020-21. Two districts namely, Phek and Wokha were selected randomly. Two blocks from each selected district and four villages from each blocks were selected randomly for the study. From each selected village, fifteen farmers were chosen randomly. A sample of 120 farmers was selected from Phek and Wokha districts by random sampling method. A pre-tested interview schedule was made in according to the study’s objectives to collect data from the farmers. The collected data was analyzed, classified and tabulated. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson’s coefficient of correlation were used to interpret findings and draw conclusions. The dependent variable food security was based on Likerts’ scale using 23-items in terms of four dimensions of food security like- Food availability, food access, food utilization and food stability. The socio-personal characteristics of ecological farmers indicated that majority of the farmers were middle-aged (56.67%), had primary level of education (35%), had marginal land holding (44.17%), medium family size (49.16%), medium family income (65.83%), member of one organization (70%), had fair cropping pattern (58.33%), medium number of livestock possession (80.83%), no sources of irrigation (90%), low level of extension contact (52.50%), medium level of risk preference (68.33%) and had medium level of farming experience (63.33%). The findings revealed that more than half i.e. 55.83 per cent of the farmers had medium level of food security. The study also found that age, education, land holding, family income, cropping pattern, livestock possession, extension contact, risk preferences and farming experience were the significant factors associated with farmers’ food security status.