Srivastava, S.K.Agarwal, Vishanu Kumar2018-10-172018-10-172013-08http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810081698The concept of Sustainable Livelihood Security (SLS) has a wider generic meaning, encompassing current concerns and policy requirements pertaining to sustainable development. Keeping in view the changing social, economic and climatic environment, the issue of SLS becomes even more important for farm sector. Agricultural diversification is viewed as a potential tool for SLS. The present study has been conducted in Rajasthan state of India to evaluate the status of SLS, to assess the extent of crop and livestock diversification along with its movement over the years and to examine the relationship of SLS with crop and livestock diversification. The study has been conducted in two parts-first at districts/divisions levels for the period of ten years from 2001 to 2010 and second at farm household levels for the year 2012-13. For primary level study, a sample of 80 farm households comprising of marginal (20), small (20), Medium (20) and large (20) farmers was drawn from desert area and non-desert area of the state with the help of multistage stratified random sampling technique using PPS method at village level to represent the state as a whole. Sustainable Livelihood Security Index (SLSI) has been constructed with the help of the concept given by Swaminathan for districts and selected farm households to examine the status of SLS with the help of its three components viz; Ecological Security Status, Economic Efficiency Status and Social Equity Status. Simpson diversity index has been constructed to analyze the extent of crop and livestock diversification. Multiple linear regression was done to examine the relationship between SLS and diversification of crop and livestock. The results indicate that 12 districts are under high status, 19 districts are under moderate status and one district i.e. Jaisalmer is under low status of ecological security. Eight districts have been found under high status, 21 districts under moderate status and only 3 districts viz; Dungarpur, Pali and Tonk under low status of economic efficiency. In case of social equity, only two districts namely Jaipur and Ganganagar have been observed under very high status, 8 districts under high status, 16 districts under moderate and 6 districts under low status. No one district fall under very high status of SLS. Only nine districts out of 32 districts are found under high status, 22 districts under moderate status and only one district i.e. Jaisalmer has been found under low status of SLS. There exists wide gap in social equity status as compared to ecological security status and economic efficiency status across the districts in Rajasthan. Most of the districts fall under moderate status in almost all aspects of SLS. The districts performed better in crop diversification are Sirohi, Pali and Hanumangarh, whereas, the poor performing districts in crop diversification are Udaipur, Rajsamand and Barmer. Overall crop diversification index for Rajasthan state as a whole is estimated as 0.88 i.e. very high level of crop diversification. Rajsamand district has shown the highest variation (15.79%) in crop diversification over a period of ten years. Rajsamand, Barmer, Jalore and Churu districts have shown significant positive growth in crop diversification. In overall Rajasthan, 61% farmers fall under high level and 39% farmers are found under very high level of crop diversification. Overall farmers in desert area have been found under very high level, while, in non-desert area, farmers have been found under high level of crop varietal diversification. In overall Rajasthan, all categories of farmers have been found under very high level of overall crop diversification. The value of livestock diversification ranged from 0.40 to 0.80. Only three districts viz; Hanumangarh, Tonk and Jalore have shown very high level of livestock diversification. Crop diversification has been found positive and significantly related with SLS in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Karauli, Jodhpur, Pali, Rajsamand and Chittorgarh, whereas, negative and significant contribution is found in Barmer and Banswara districts. The policy implications emerged out from this study that ecological and social development require special attention in Jaisalmer. Similarly, other desert districts like Jodhpur, Bikaner, Churu and Barmer require special attention for ecological development. Dungarpur, Pali and Tonk being relatively low economic efficient districts require more emphasis towards economic development. In general, desert districts should be given high priority towards ecological and social development as compared to non-desert districts of Rajasthan. All the marginal and small farmers in Rajasthan should be given more emphasis towards economic as well as social development to improve their sustainable livelihood security. Ajmer, Bhilwara, Karauli, Jodhpur, Pali, Rajsamand and Chittorgarh districts should be promoted for crop diversification to improve the status of sustainable livelihood security. Sawai madhopur and Pali districts be given importance for specialization of livestock rearing.ennullThesis