Methodology of Identification and Characterization of Farming Systems in Irrigated Agriculture: Case Stud y in West Bengal State of India

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.