Sericulture as a Sustainable Livelihood Source: A Study of Osmanabad District in Maharashtra, India

Sericulture is one of the oldest farming in India and Asia. It requires low investment and helps to earn higher returns in short gestation periods. It is a boon to the rural population associated with agriculture and helping them to avoid suicidal attempts by earning sufficient income throughout the year. In Maharashtra State, Osmanabad is one of the leading districts in sericulture. Sericulture has an important place in the economy of drought-prone regions like Osmanabad. In Osmanabad, the drought has brought crop failure, groundwater level exhaustion, expanded climate dangers, food insecurity and uncertain income. These made farming financially unviable for small and marginalised farmers. Thus, diversification of agriculture in sericulture farming could be very effective in creating employment opportunities and providing sustainable livelihood. Hence, the present study is designed to understand how sericulture farming plays a role of sustainable livelihood source for the farmers. In this study, 120 farmers engaged in sericulture activity have been selected. The study found that sericulture has an important place in the rural economy of the Osmanabad district. The Triple Bottom line model is used to present the research findings. In the last ten years, sericulture farming has been boosting in the district. It creates employment opportunities, improves the farmer’s economic condition, and promotes women’s empowerment. Being a rural agro-based labour-intensive industry, this farming plays a vibrant role in rural development.