Sustainable Livelihood Assessment of Taro and Paddy Growers in Nayagarh District of Odisha

Livelihood assessment was conducted among 50 taro and 50 paddy growing farmers in Nayagarh district of Odisha, India. Data were collected using PRA tools, interview schedule and focus group discussions. Livelihood sustainable index was estimated using the DFID methodology. The analysis revealed that the average age of taro and paddy growers was almost similar (55 years). The average yield of taro (43.34 quintal/acre) was higher than the yield of paddy (20.94 quintal/acre). There was significant difference in the yield, cost of cultivation and net profit between taro and paddy. On an average, the taro growers realized 128% higher net returns than the paddy growers. The rural sustainable livelihood index was marginally more for paddy (60) than taro growers (59). The mean values of different capitals of taro and paddy growers were in the decreasing order with respect to physical, natural, social, human and financial capitals. Lack of market facilities was ranked first with a mean score of 2.51 out of maximum score of 3. The other constraints reported by the taro farmers were, price fluctuation (2.21), lack of irrigation facilities (2.04), wild animals attack (1.98) and non availability of skilled labour (1.74). Lack of irrigation facilities (2.35), weather aberrations (2.15), incidence of pests and diseases (2.0) and non availability of skilled labour (1.98) were perceived as major constraints in paddy cultivation.