Mapping of Livelihood Capitals for Technological Interventions in Elephant Foot Yam and Banana Cultivation in Andhra Pradesh

Mapping of livelihood capitals was done among 60 elephant foot yam and 60 banana growing farmers using snow ball sampling in East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. Data were collected using PRA tools, interview schedule and focus group discussions during August 2018 to January 2019. Rural Sustainable Livelihood Index (RSLI) was arrived by using the DFID methodology. The family size and farming experience of elephant foot yam and banana growers differ significantly at 10 % and one per cent respectively. The yield and cost of cultivation for banana was higher than the elephant foot yam and significant differences were observed at one per cent level. The net profit realized from the two crops were, ₹ 1.58 lakhs for banana and ₹ 1.62 lakhs for elephant foot yam. Under human capital, the index was higher for education (55) and health (57) for elephant foot yam growers whereas, for banana growers farming experience (73) and knowledge (62) was more. Physical capital index was more or less similar for both the growers. Social capital index was more (66) for banana growers. The financial capital index was more for banana growers (69) and the natural capital index was 70 for both the farmers. The RSLI for banana growers was slightly higher (69) than the elephant foot yam growers (66). Similarities between capitals of both the growers are in the decreasing order with respect to physical, natural, financial, social and human capitals. The vulnerability factors as reported were price fluctuation, crop failure due to weather aberrations and increased labour cost. Non availability of skilled labourers, non availability of quality planting materials of improved varieties, price fluctuation, involvement of middlemen in the market, weather aberrations and lack of marketing facilities were the major constraints.