International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Febina N, Prema A, Denny Franco, Prasad A, Sajitha Vijayan M, Adarsh OR and Athira K

abstract
Livelihood security is essential for sustainable rural development, particularly for smallholder farmers who rely on varied agricultural systems for their existence. The study investigates the livelihood security of smallholder farmers engaged in mixed farming in Central Kerala, particularly in the Thrissur and Palakkad districts. To account for the multiple and interconnected aspects of livelihoods, a composite Livelihood Security Index (CLSI) was developed. The method includes the identification and weighting of crucial indicators through expert evaluation, ensuring that the final set accurately depicts the realities of smallholder farming. Data were collected from respondents through a structured interview schedule addressing four key dimensions of livelihood security - economic, food and feed, ecological, and social. The index was developed through standardization and compilation of field data. The findings indicated that economic security (0.71) contributed the most to improving the overall livelihood security of farmers, as mixed farming provides additional income to the farmers; on the other hand, ecological security (0.47) contributed the least to improving the livelihood security, as climate change is significantly affecting mixed farming, and farmers fail to adopt measures to tackle it. Overall, the livelihood security was moderate, suggesting both opportunities and vulnerabilities within the existing mixed farming systems. The study suggests the necessity of policies that encourage sustainable and varied agricultural methods and increase ecological resilience to improve the lives of Kerala's smallholder farmers.