Sustainable Agriculture With Special Emphasis on Risk Management

Abstract

In India, agriculture is a source of employment to more than 50% of the population. Despite major strengths such as geographical location, diverse agro-climatic conditions, variety of soils, and agro-ecological congeniality, Indian farmers face diverse types of risks. Climate change is one the major risks confronting Indian farmers. Variations in climatic parameters such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, etc. result in a decrease in soil moisture and reduction in soil fertility. This has adversely affected crop productivity. History reflects that unpredictable climate change has affected the standard of living of Indian farmers. This gives rise to a strong need to study the risk management techniques of the Indian farmers. The chapter explores the diverse risks faced by Indian farmers and the risk management strategies adopted by them. The purpose of the research is to examine the different hazards that farmers encounter as well as risk management techniques. Primary data has been collected from 192 farmers in Maharashtra. Purposive sampling technique was used for collecting responses from the farmers. And an open-ended interview has also been conducted for another 30 farmers. The data was analysed using QDA miner software. The research shows how farmers deal with hazards using various ways and strategies. It can be advanced by looking into cutting-edge risk management strategies as well as potential enablers and obstacles associated with it.