Impact of Homestead Farming on Rural Economy of Indian Sundarban

Abstract

Homestead farming system (HFS) is mainly a need-oriented, self-provisioning, integrated, multi-species, economically sustainable and environmentally safe farming system around the house. In order to understand the contribution of HFS to household income and to devise ways to maximise returns from HFS, a survey was conducted covering 480 households in three blocks (Kakdwip, Namkhana and Sagar) of South 24-Parganas district of West Bengal located in Sundarban. Out the households surveyed, 91% come under the marginal category having less than 1 ha of landholding in which 0.1 ha was used for homestead farming. 28% income of total 480 households were contributed by HFS that comprised of aquaculture (54%) followed by animal husbandry (37%) and horticulture (9%). The 22% of total households who practised betel vine cultivation in homestead land earn an additional gross income of Rs.75, 000/annum. More than 40 local varieties of horticultural crops and more than 25 fish species are cultured in HFS. However, due to inadequate supply of input and improper management, the quality and quantity of produces were not optimum. The study has clearly indicated the potential of sustainable intensification of HFS for increasing production and income of poor households in rural areas, and it would lead to poverty alleviation.