Transforming smallholder livelihoods: A case study on integrated farm planning in Subalaya village in Sundargarh district of Odisha, India

Abstract

Integrated farm planning offers a sustainable pathway to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods by optimizing resource utilization, increasing productivity, and diversifying income sources. This study employs a case study approach, focusing on the case of Mr. Daitari Patel from Subalaya village of Subdega block in Sundargarh district of Odisha. It evaluates the potential socio-economic impact of transitioning from a conventional farming system to an integrated farm plan. The existing farm plan, centered on rice cultivation (Surendra variety), yielded 23-25 quintals per acre with a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.31 and net returns of ?14,510 per acre. In contrast, the suggested alternative farm plan incorporated diversified cropping (Jamuna rice, sweet corn), organic inputs, and mushroom cultivation, leading to an estimated BCR of 1.75 and net returns of ?21,503 per acre. Mushroom cultivation alone contributed towards a potential net profit of ?5,420 with a BCR of 3.31, demonstrating the profitability of enterprise diversification. The findings highlight the significant economic and environmental benefits of integrated farm planning, including increased income, resource efficiency, and sustainability. The study advocates for its wider adoption to enhance the sustainability and profitability of smallholder farming systems.