Abstract:
Targeted extension for heterogeneous farming system
s is a challenge in developing
countries. Farm type identification and characteriz
ation based on estimates of income
from different farm components allows simplifying d
iversity in farming systems. Use of
multivariate statistical techniques, such as princi
pal component analysis (PCA) and
cluster analysis (CA), help in such farm typology d
elineation. Using this methodological
approach, the present study conducted in West Benga
l, India, identified four distinct farm
types, namely, farms growing food grain and jute, f
arms with animal husbandry and
fishery based diversification with high off-farm in
come, farms with crop based
diversification with off-farm income, and farms gro
wing vegetables and fruits. Such
typology delineation helps in differentiated, holis
tic, and broad-based extension
intervention to address the need of different ident
ified farm types and a reduced
transaction cost in the agricultural research and e
xtension system.
Keywords:
Cluster analysis, Economic characterization, Farm h
eterogeneity, Farm typology,
Principal component analysis.
