A Study on Farmers’ Well-being under Different Farming Conditions in Karnataka, India

Abstract

This study assessed and compared the multidimensional well-being of farmers under irrigated and rainfed farming conditions in Karnataka. An ex-post facto research design was adopted in Davanagere and Chitradurga districts during 2023-24. A total of 180 farmers, comprising 90 from irrigated areas and 90 from rainfed areas, were selected through random sampling. Farmers’ well-being was examined across economic, social, family, health, housing, work, social participation, and financial-security dimensions using descriptive statistics, a t-test, and exploratory factor analysis. The overall mean well-being score was higher among irrigated farmers (190.93) than among rainfed farmers (180.98), and the difference was significant at the 1% level (t = 4.14). Exploratory factor analysis identified seven factors: Family and Social Well-being; Financial Security and Social Participation; Market and Irrigation Conditions; Physical Health and Work Conditions; Family Health and Happiness; Social Relationship and Decision-making; and Work Environment and Coping Strategies. Together, these factors explained 45.50% of the total variance. The findings indicate that irrigation access, income stability, family and social conditions, health, work environment, market-related conditions, and coping-related aspects are associated with farmers’ well-being. The study highlights the value of integrated support addressing irrigation, health insurance, education, social participation, extension services, and livelihood diversification for farmers under contrasting farming conditions in Karnataka.