IMPACT OF HORTICULTURE ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL FARMERS IN MAYURBHANJ DISTRICT OF ODISHA

Horticulture practices affect the socio-economic life in a greater quantity. The current study aimed at the impact of horticulture on the livelihood of the rural farmers of the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The results have shown that there is significant impact of horticulture in income as well as savings of rural farmers. Similarly, after adoption of horticulture the rural farmers have changes their expenditure pattern. Expenditure on health, education, food habits and luxurious life of the rural farmers also have been changed. It has also been realized that horticulture is an important part of the agriculture sector and huge potential to contribute to the growth of the nation. So, there is much scope for the research as it is directly connected to our life. There are many problems irrigation, marketing and storing the yield in this sector. The horticulture sector is not only meant for sustainable livelihood but also it helps maintain the sustainable environment by maintaining the ecology. So, in the future, the more micro-level study should be done to point out the micro-level problems to sort out the basic issues at the micro level for the horticulture sectors. KEY WORDS: Climate, Horticulture, Livelihood, Rural farmers, Sustainable