Socioeconomic characteristics and livelihood of agroforestry practitioners in north-west Himalayas, India

This study was conducted to understand socio-economic status and livelihood options of agroforestry practitioners in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Agroforestry practices and cultivation of crops varied with change in the elevation. Majority of medium farmers were part of joint family, whereas small and marginal farmers were living in nuclear family. Livelihood security of all categories of farmers is reliant on traditional agroforestry practices and orchards. More than 70% farming in the area is rainfed and managed in a traditional way. High literacy rate is the main characteristics features of the study area. Size of land holding owned by farmers in the area varied according to farmers’ category. The study revealed that traditional agriculture/agroforestry and employment in service sector were the major sources of income to the people.