International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

Livelihood strategies are the range and combinations of different activities and choices that farm households carry out to achieve a livelihood outcome (DFID, 1999). Traditionally, the main source of farm households’ income is agriculture in producing food and for generating income. It is particularly relevant for a developing country like India where still more than 54.6 per cent population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood (Annual Report, 2017-18). However, sole farming as a source of livelihood on its own is increasingly unable to provide a sufficient means of survival in rural areas.

The present study was conducted in Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam to examine the livelihood pattern of farm households. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was used for selection of 500 numbers of farm households, 100 each from five districts selected for the study. Farm households were categorized into four size classes as marginal (<1.00 ha), small (1.00-2.00 ha), medium (2.00 – 4.00 ha) and large (4.00 ha and above). Primary as well as secondary information were collected for the study.

The study revealed that farm household on an average was principally dependent as an occupation on farm sector (45.60%) and non-farm sector (54.40%) for their livelihood. Income generated on average from farm sector was 59.12 per cent and non-farm sector 40.88 per cent. Out of total farm income, contribution of crop farming was (62.95%), livestock (18.01%) and fishery (19.03%). Similarly, in non-farm income, contributions were made by salary & wages (53.13%), non-farm business (29.89%) and remittance & govt. welfare scheme (16.99%). In absolute terms net income per farm per annum was found to be Rs. 80,167.32 of which, farm & non-farm income was Rs. 47,398.86 and Rs. 32,768.46, respectively. Proportionately, crop farming (37.22%), livestock farming (10.65%), fishery (11.25%), salary & wage (21.72%), non-farm business (12.22%) and remittance & govt. scheme (6.94%) contributed to the total net income annually, on average. Among allied enterprises 54.40 per cent households were found to practice dairy, followed by goatery & fishery (33.80%), poultry (37.40%) and piggery (10.40%).