Farmers Strategies to Cope Labour Shortage in Northern and Southern Dry Zones of Karnataka, India

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the strategies adopted by the farmers to overcome the labour shortage in Sindhanur taluk of Raichur district and Mandya taluk of Mandya district. Random sample of 120 farmers each from the taluk were selected for the study. Opinion survey was conducted and results revealed that mechanization of agricultural operations, shifting towards less labour required crops, hiring labour from outside the village and intensive use of family labour are the major strategies adopted by farmers to overcome labour shortage. Mechanization in agriculture helped to solve the labour shortage. Therefore, this study concludes that the awareness among farmers should be created about existence of custom hiring centres and they should be encouraged to use it through self help groups based on subsidized rates.