Improving livelihood security of rural people with resource management and diversification in agriculture in disadvantaged districts of Uttar Pradesh

A field study was conducted in four clusters of villages of Uttar Pradesh during 2008 to 2012 to assess the livelihood security of rural people living in disadvantaged areas. Low productivity of crops and animals, extensive land degradation, poor resource management and poor socioeconomic condition were some of the problems exist in the clusters. Therefore, natural resource management and diversification in agriculture was the option to increase the livelihood of rural people of disadvantaged areas of the state. Seed multiplication and seed exchange, animal nutrition programme, soil and water conservation, fruit trees plantation, promotion of micro-enterprises and service providers were some of the programmes implemented in the cluster areas. Eighty one trainings, 19 workshops and 42 exposure visits were conductedon various aspects. Forty seven thousand five thousand bamboo seedlings was planted along nalabeds, and on steep slopeschecked considerably soil erosion and farmers earned additional income by establishing bamboo based micro-enterprise. Twenty thousand fruit plants planted in the farmer’s field enhanced the income. Area under legume cultivation which was almost nil due to blue bull and monkey nuisance, now increased in significant proportion (195.35 ha). The average productivity of crops and seed replacement was increased by 35.34% and 43.16%, respectively due toadopting soil and water conservation measures, good crop cultivation practices, skill upgradation and timely supply of agricultural inputs. Introduction of feed additives and medicines in the milch cattle increased the average milk yield from 2.4 litre cattle⁻¹day⁻¹ to 2.8 litrecattle⁻¹day⁻¹ (15.62% increases), along with the pregnancy and improvement in general health. The migration was reduced by 5%. The interventions goatry and poultry generated annualincome 2957 goat⁻¹ and 10658 unit⁻¹ (100 chicks unit⁻¹), respectively.