Government Financial Assistance and Sustainable Livelihoods of Sericulture Farmers: Evidence from Channapatna Division, Karnataka

Abstract Sericulture is one of India's most important agro-based rural industries, providing employment opportunities, generating farm income, and supporting sustainable rural livelihoods. Karnataka occupies a leading position in mulberry silk production and contributes significantly to the national silk economy. Despite several financial assistance programmes implemented by the Government of India, the Government of Karnataka, NABARD, commercial banks, and the Central Silk Board, many sericulture farmers continue to experience challenges in accessing institutional finance, adopting modern technologies, and achieving stable income due to market volatility and production constraints. This study investigates the effectiveness of financial services and government support schemes among sericulture farmers in Channapatna Division, Karnataka. The study is based on primary data collected from 100 sericulture farmers using a structured questionnaire through simple random sampling, supplemented with secondary information obtained from the Department of Sericulture, Central Silk Board, NABARD, Ministry of Textiles, and published literature. Descriptive statistical techniques including percentages, averages, frequency distribution, and graphical analysis were employed to analyse the data. The findings indicate that government schemes have improved access to subsidies, technical support, and institutional finance; however, inadequate awareness, delayed financial assistance, price fluctuations, high production costs, and marketing constraints continue to affect farmers' economic wellbeing. The study recommends strengthening institutional credit delivery, improving awareness programmes, promoting digital access to government services, expanding extension support, and developing market infrastructure for sustainable growth of the sericulture sector. The study contributes to the literature on rural development, agricultural finance, and sustainable livelihood enhancement through sericulture. Keywords: Sericulture, Financial Services, Government Schemes, Rural Development, Karnataka, Channapatna, Sustainable Livelihood, Agricultural Finance. 1. Introduction Agriculture continues to play a pivotal role in India's economy by generating employment, ensuring food security, and supporting rural livelihoods. Within the agricultural sector, sericulture has emerged as one of the most promising agro-based rural industries because of its labour-intensive nature, relatively low capital requirement, and capacity to generate continuous employment throughout the year. Unlike many seasonal agricultural activities, sericulture provides regular income opportunities through mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, cocoon production, reeling, weaving, and silk marketing. The industry supports millions of rural households and contributes significantly to women's employment, thereby promoting inclusive economic development. India is the world's second-largest producer of silk and is the only country producing all four commercially important varieties of natural silk—Mulberry, Tasar, Eri, and Muga. Among these, mulberry silk accounts for nearly ninety percent of the country's total raw silk production. Karnataka has historically been the leading producer of mulberry silk and continues to contribute substantially to national silk output. The state's favourable climatic conditions, well-developed research institutions, organized cocoon markets, and strong government support have facilitated continuous growth of the sericulture sector. The Government of India and the Government of Karnataka have introduced numerous schemes to improve sericulture productivity, increase farmers' income, promote technological modernization, and ensure sustainable development of the silk industry. Financial assistance is provided through subsidies, concessional loans, crop development programmes, irrigation support, price stabilization mechanisms, and technical extension services. Institutions such as the Central Silk Board, NABARD, commercial banks, cooperative societies, and the Department of Sericulture play an important role in implementing these programmes and extending financial support to farmers. Channapatna Division has long been recognised as one of Karnataka's important sericulture regions. A considerable proportion of farming households in the region depend on mulberry cultivation and cocoon production as a primary or supplementary source of income. Although several financial assistance programmes are available, farmers continue to face multiple constraints including inadequate institutional credit, delayed subsidy disbursement, market price fluctuations, increasing labour costs, pest and disease incidence, and limited awareness regarding government schemes. These challenges affect productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability of sericulture farming. Against this background, the present study examines the effectiveness of financial services and government support schemes provided to sericulture farmers in Channapatna Division. The study evaluates farmers' socio-economic characteristics, awareness and utilization of financial schemes, institutional support, and the challenges affecting sustainable sericulture development. The findings are expected to provide useful policy insights for strengthening rural financial inclusion and enhancing the socio-economic conditions of sericulture farmers. Objectives To examine the socio-economic profile of sericulture farmers in Channapatna Division. To analyse the financial services available to sericulture farmers. To assess farmers' awareness and utilization of government support schemes. To evaluate the impact of institutional financial assistance on sericulture production and income. To identify the major challenges faced by sericulture farmers and suggest appropriate policy measures. Hypotheses H01: Financial services have no significant impact on the income of sericulture farmers. H11: Financial services have a significant positive impact on the income of sericulture farmers. H02: Government support schemes do not significantly influence sericulture productivity. H12: Government support schemes significantly improve sericulture productivity. 2. Review of Literature The sericulture sector has attracted considerable scholarly attention because of its contribution to rural employment, poverty reduction, women empowerment, and agricultural diversification. Previous studies have examined various dimensions of sericulture, including livelihood security, financial assistance, technological adoption, sustainability, and government interventions. A critical review of the literature reveals both the achievements and the existing research gaps that justify the present investigation. Shivaleela P. Patil (2019) examined sericulture as a sustainable livelihood system among farm households in Karnataka and observed that sericulture significantly enhances household income, employment generation, and women's participation in agricultural activities. The study further reported that adoption of improved technologies increased productivity and income among mulberry growers. Chanotra, Bali and Bali (2019) emphasized that sericulture offers a viable livelihood opportunity for rural households due to its labour-intensive nature, short gestation period, and regular income generation. The authors concluded that policy support and market development are essential for ensuring long-term sustainability of the sector. Girish C. E. et al. (2020) analysed livelihood security among sericulture-based dairy farmers in Karnataka and found that integrating sericulture with allied agricultural enterprises improves food security, income stability, and employment opportunities. The study highlighted that diversified farming systems reduce production risks and improve household resilience. Kritika Sharma and Bhumika Kapoor (2020) reviewed the sericulture industry from an economic perspective and argued that silk production provides significant employment opportunities for marginal farmers, women, and rural artisans. Their study recognised sericulture as an important contributor to rural industrialisation and export earnings. Joshi, Kapse and Jakkawad (2021) investigated the relationship between farmers' socio-economic characteristics and the impact of sericulture enterprises. Their findings indicated that training programmes, farming experience, and family participation significantly influence enterprise performance, whereas formal education showed limited impact on productivity. Brian Ssemugenze et al. (2021) described sericulture as a sustainable agro-based industry capable of generating employment, promoting environmental conservation, empowering women, and increasing foreign exchange earnings. The authors emphasised that investment in research, extension, and technology is critical for improving global competitiveness. Deepali Singhee (2022) reviewed India's silk industry and highlighted the importance of quality improvement, standardisation, geographical indications, and value addition for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian silk in international markets. Gautam et al. (2022) focused on silkworm production technologies and concluded that scientific disease management, improved silkworm breeds, and modern rearing techniques can substantially increase cocoon productivity and farmers' income. Vanishree, Rajashekar and Unpendar (2023) demonstrated that sericulture remains one of the most suitable livelihood options for small and marginal farmers due to its relatively low investment requirement, regular employment opportunities, and scope for value addition through silk processing. Saurabh Kumar, Pushpendra and Arun Kumar (2023) argued that expansion of sericulture can contribute significantly towards the objective of doubling farmers' income by improving productivity, promoting