LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF SCHEDULED CASTE FARMERS THROUGH INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM

The study was conducted in purposively selected Chickballapura district, a total sample of 271 respondents was purposively selected for the study. Data was collected by using structured pre-tested interview schedule and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. The results indicated that, majority of the respondents belonged to medium level of education, cropping pattern, livestock possession, mass media exposure, extension participation, training undergone and access to resources followed by high level of social participation, management orientation, level of aspiration, participation in development program and willingness towards IFS and low level of cosmpoliteness, innovativeness, scientific orientation and access to extension personnel. It was observed that livelihood security of respondents in highly satisfied category increased to 35.79 per cent from 27.31 per cent after implementation of the project. Out of seven dimensions, employment security increased by 39.35 per cent, living amenities increased by 30.82 per cent, coping strategies against stress increased by 30.75 per cent, ecological security increased by 30.00 percent, economic efficiency increased by 28.95 per cent, assets increased by 25.71 per cent and social equitability increased by 24.41 per cent. Overall scores of livelihood security indicated 30.23 per cent increase after implementation of project. The average gross income of Rs.1,03,264 from both crop and livestock enterprises of IFS against Rs.6,956 before implementation of the project. In total they could realize about Rs.70,300 net profit by adopting intercropping and livestock components in IFS. As such, for every one rupee invested under IFS they got 3.13 rupee income. Hence, the concerned development departments should organize the demonstrations, trainings, field days, exposure visits etc., to educate the farmers about IFS. The positive and significantly related characteristics needs to be considered while selecting the farmers for the extension educational programmes in order to enhance their livelihood security.