Livelihood Enhancement of Vulnerable Farm Families through Integrated Farming Systems of Southern Districts of Karnataka

Study focus of to analyze the economics of livelihood improvement for resource poor rural community in Shimoga, Chitradurga Bangalore rural and Chickballapur districts of Karnataka state. During the year 2010-2012 The study was purposive selected randomly 650 respondents comprising of resource poor farmers across the study area. It is a unique approach aims at minimizing the risk and increase in net returns of the farmers the primary data obtained through personal interview method using pre-tested schedule. The integrated farming with paddy, groundnut, maize, ragi and sericulture with integration of other enterprises such as dairy, sheep and poultry resulted in higher net income, employment opportunities Crop production and animal components are major components of IFS in contribution to the increase in the net income of farmers. The average income has increased to Rs.77851 from Rs.37015 in a span of two years in project implemented area. The Project has created awareness among beneficiaries on improved practices of agriculture, soil health, bio-resource recycling, and integration of various components, processing, value addition and marketing. It has created employment generation throughout the year. The intervention of the project has prevented rural migration of farmers.