Empowering SC communities through agroforestry entrepreneurship in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka

Abstract

Skill based trainings for a small-scale farmer focusing especially SC communities is essential for promoting sustainable agriculture, improving livelihood and fostering rural development. A present investigation was carried out to diversify the income sources of the poor marginal farmers of SC communities practicing Agroforestry based entrepreneurship in Uttara Kannada district. The baseline survey was carried out to know the existing socio-economic status of the SC communities in four taluks of Uttara Kannada district namely Bhatkal, Sirsi, Mundgod and Haliyala. A total of 80 beneficiaries, 20 in each taluk were selected. Total 11 Entrepreneurship based training programmed were conducted to impart skills regarding nursery management, grafting, value addition of non-timber forest products, poultry raising and marketing value chain. Out of trained beneficiaries, 30 % of the beneficiaries initiated new Agroforestry based entrepreneurship for their livelihood enhancement whereas, 70 % of the beneficiaries have gained skills during the training programme and adopted their skills in their farming practices.Further, the selected beneficiaries were equipped with the skills and critical inputs viz., seeds and seedlings of multi-purpose tree species, Poultry chicks, and nursery equipment’s such as poly covers, secateurs, root trainers, grafting knife, budding knife, hoose pipe, rose head cane, shade nets and wheel barrow were distributed for setting up an individual or community entrepreneurship. Thus, Agroforestry entrepreneurship training empowers farmers to adopt sustainable, profitable and resilient farming practices, contributing to both economic, prosperity and long-term sustainability.