Problems of Small and Marginal Farmers in Karnataka – A Sociological Study

Agriculture is continuing to be one of the most important sectors in Karnataka. It provides food security and also sustains the rural society. It offers employment opportunities to lakhs of small and marginal farmers. Challenges of small and marginal farmers cannot be understood only in economic terms but also in cultural terms. Preserves cultural traditions of agriculture. The majority of farmers in the state fall under the category of small and marginal farmers, who have less than two hectares of land. According to government data, more than 80 percent of cultivators in Karnataka are small and marginal farmers. Agriculture Census 2015–16 (as in Karnataka Economic Survey), Karnataka had a total of 86.81 lakh operational farm holdings, covering 118.05 lakh hectares. Small and marginal holdings (under 2 hectares) account for approximately 80% of all holdings, yet manage only 44% of cultivated land. This study examines the challenges of small and marginal farmers. The main challenges of small and marginal farmers are, low productivity, ineffectiveness of agricultural extension services, inadequate irrigation, labour shortages, lack of quality seeds, problem of problem of use large-scale farming machines, lack of resources, poor information on pesticide management and crop diseases, and lack of awareness about government schemes, insufficient support from local government bodies, market fluctuations, heavy dependence on monsoons, climate vulnerability, rain-fed, transportation difficulties, inadequate storage and market linkages, facilities, limited access and informal sources of credit, indebtedness, farmer suicides, problem of middlemen, impact of globalization, a structural imbalance in rural society. The economic insecurity, environmental vulnerability, and social inequality together create marginalization, lack of recognition for women’s work, rural-urban migration, migration of youth to urban areas, insufficient infrastructure, social exclusion are the main challenges of small and marginal farmers of Karnataka The findings highlight the urgency for targeted interventions and policy reforms that address the unique needs of small farmers, strengthen institutional support, and enhance resilience for sustainable agricultural development in Karnataka.