AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABILITY IN HILL ECOSYSTEM OF DINDIGUL DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU

K. KALEESWARI¹*, J.S. AMARNATH², B. SIVASANKARI^3
1Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, 625 104, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641003, India
²Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, 625 104, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641003, India
³Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, 625 104, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641003, India
* Corresponding Author : ageconmac@tnau.ac.in

Received : 28-04-2019     Accepted : 12-05-2019     Published : 15-05-2019
Volume : 11     Issue : 9       Pages : 8346 - 8350
Int J Agr Sci 11.9 (2019):8346-8350

Keywords : Livelihood security index, Linear programming technique, Sustainable rural livelihood framework analysis
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, 625 104, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

This study was conducted in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu to assess the agricultural sustainability for Palani and Sirumalai hill and to develop the optimum farm plan for Palani and Sirumalai hills. Analysis of sustainability using farm level indicators involves assessment of ecological soundness, economic viability and social acceptability. This study results indicated that ecological soundness do not have clear cut distinction on sustainability between two hills and Sirumalai hill is comparatively higher sustainable with regard to economic viability and social acceptability. A sustainable rural livelihood framework analysis involves analysis on natural capital, financial capital, physical capital, human capital and social capital. These results showed that Palani hill is more sustainable with regard to Physical and human assets and Sirumalai hill is more sustainable with regard to financial and social assets. Livelihood security analyses also done with comparative livelihood index scores for food security, economic security, education security, habitat security and social network security for both Palani and Sirumalai hill. The results revealed that both hills were not secured with regard to education and social network. Among other indices, Palani hill had higher comparative livelihood security with regard to food and health and Sirumalai hill favoured well with regard to economic and habitat security. The optimum farm plan with inclusion of dairy enterprise was suggested for Palani hills and optimum farm plan with inclusion of acid lime was suggested for Sirumalai hills.

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