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Tangible to Non-Tangible Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Life Satisfaction of Farmers in Kerala, India

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  • Saju Madavanakadu Devassy

    (Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
    Rajagiri International Centre for Consortium Research in Social Care, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India
    Department of Social Work, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
    School of Social and Political Science, The University of Edinburgh, 15A George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LD, UK)

  • Shilpa V. Yohannan

    (Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
    Rajagiri Research Institute, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India)

  • Lorane Scaria

    (Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
    Rajagiri International Centre for Consortium Research in Social Care, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India)

  • Sunirose Ishnassery Pathrose

    (Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Rajagiri P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi 683 104, India
    Rajagiri Research Institute, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi 683 104, India)

Abstract

While Kerala’s transition from an agrarian to a service-oriented economy is widely acknowledged, discussions are most often confined to material domains, overlooking overall life satisfaction, which is critical to pursue any profession. This state-wide community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to gather data from farmers residing in three geographical zones of Kerala, India, North, South and Central, to understand their life satisfaction and how it correlates to their access to resources and social support. From each zone, we randomly chose two districts, and from each district, two panchayats. From each panchayat, we chose one ward to identify a total of 580 eligible farmers. Structured interviews were conducted using door-knock surveys to elicit information from the respondents using a set of standardized questionnaires. The results suggest that the respondents had a mean age of 54.5, with 19.8% being over 65, indicating demographic ageing in the farming sector. Only 46% chose farming as their full-time occupation. Farmers with higher levels of education who owned large plots of land experienced life satisfaction. Interpersonal relationships and social support were significant determinants of life satisfaction, as these factors were pivotal in their access to formal and informal services. With social support being pivotal in life satisfaction, it is imperative to change the social mindset towards farming. Additionally, the government should promote advanced technologies and high-yielding agricultural practises to transform the economic landscape of Kerala in favour of agriculture, which is imperative for the food security of the state.

Suggested Citation

  • Saju Madavanakadu Devassy & Shilpa V. Yohannan & Lorane Scaria & Sunirose Ishnassery Pathrose, 2024. "Tangible to Non-Tangible Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Life Satisfaction of Farmers in Kerala, India," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:10:p:1671-:d:1484910
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sahar Daghagh Yazd & Sarah Ann Wheeler & Alec Zuo, 2019. "Key Risk Factors Affecting Farmers’ Mental Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Anne M. Cafer & J. Sanford Rikoon, 2018. "Adoption of new technologies by smallholder farmers: the contributions of extension, research institutes, cooperatives, and access to cash for improving tef production in Ethiopia," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 35(3), pages 685-699, September.
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