Factors influencing the agricultural sustainability: District and farm level analysis

This study examined the factors influencing agricultural sustainability both at regional and farm level by constructing agricultural sustainability index for North Eastern Karnataka region. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was used to know the influence of independent variables on agricultural sustainability both at district and farm level. The regression coefficient of food grain yield, milk production, net sown area, labor force participation rate, literacy rate, households electrified, number of commercial banks, number of primary health centers, proportion of geographical area under forest, cropping intensity, livestock population and annual groundwater availability have showed positive and significant influence on agricultural sustainability at district level. However, the factors population density, percentage of population below poverty line, infant mortality rate and fertilizer consumption have a negative and significant influence on agricultural sustainability. While the factors such as farm income, livestock possession, type of land, number of crops cultivated were significantly influenced factors of farm level agricultural sustainability in the study area. Hence, the study suggests enhancing the food grain yield and increasing the milk production, area under forest, cropping intensity, livestock population and groundwater availability there is a scope for improving agricultural sustainability at the district level. At the farm level in place of mono cropping cultivation of more crops will improve the soil fertility and income in turn the agricultural sustainability of farmers.