Family farming: A step towards income security

Abstract

The concept of family farming covers various elements. From a sociological perspective, family farming is associated with family values, such as solidarity, continuity and commitment; in economic terms, family farming is identified with specific entrepreneurial skills, business ownership and management, choice and risk behaviour, resilience and individual achievement. Family farming is often more than a professional occupation because it reflects a lifestyle based on beliefs and traditions about living and work. The year 2014 was designated as the International Year of Family Farming at the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it has the objective of raising the profile of family farming by focusing world attention on its role in alleviating hunger and poverty, providing food security and improving livelihoods, while protecting the environment and biodiversity. This study examined in eastern coastal districts of Odisha. The study was explorative in nature, the data was collected through personal interview with 120 numbers of respondents selected through non- probability random sampling procedure, via structured interview schedule prepare after pilot study and pre- testing. The family farm can be a source of employment for others in the community and hence stimulate economic activity beyond the farm gate, with an important stimulus for labour and economic security as well. Family farms continue to present opportunities for rural economic development and revitalization of rural communities throughout the world. The results of this research study revealed that the productivity and income of farming community were increased due to family farming and it also reduces poverty and unemployment. Therefore some agricultural policies should focus more on the sustainable development of family farming approach.