Economic Characterization of Farming Systems: A Case Study of Karminagar District of Telangana State, India

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Karimnagar district of Telangana state during the year 2020-21 with an objective of characterizing the farming systems in the district and to identify the constraints in existing farming systems. Multi stage stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select a sample of 211 households which comprised 100 marginal households, 63 small households, 33 medium households, and 15 large households. Crop+Dairy was the prominent mixed farming system adopted by the sample households (36%) followed by Crop+Dairy+Sheep (7%) and Crop+Dairy+ Goatery (5%). Marginal farms, with the smallest landholdings, earned the lowest total income of Rs. 1,27,167 per annum followed by Small (Rs.2,30,165) Medium (Rs.3,64,055) and Large farmers (Rs.5,87,398).Highest employment generation was observed in Crop+Dairy+Sheep system among large farms (374 man days) and lowest in case of sole crops among marginal farms (82 mandays). Marginal farms generate Rs 11,500 annually through recycling where as small farms generate Rs 15,220, medium farms Rs 18,600, and large farms Rs 27,000. Across all farms, Labour shortages, low-yielding livestock breeds, lack of technical advice, and forage availability are widespread issues that hinder IFS adoption. Smaller farms face additional constraints, such as limited access to credit, marketing challenges, and inadequate remunerative prices.