TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT SCALE

Abstract

Sustainability in sericulture has become increasingly important for ensuring long-term productivity, profitability and environmental conservation. The present study assessed the sustainability status of sericulture farmers in the traditional and non-traditional sericultural districts of Karnataka. A total of 240 farmers, comprising 120 each from traditional and non-traditional districts, were selected for the study. Sustainability was assessed using seven dimensions viz., ecological, economic, social, technological & innovative, policies & institutional, health & physical sustainability. The findings revealed a significant difference in the overall sustainability levels of farmers between the two categories of districts. In the traditional district, less than half (46.67 %) of the farmers belonged to the medium sustainability category whereas in the non-traditional district, less than half (45.83 %) belonged to the high sustainability category. The association between district type and overall sustainability was moderate (Cramer's V= 0.331). Dimension-wise analysis showed that traditional district farmers performed better in ecological and economic sustainability, while non-traditional district farmers exhibited higher technological and innovative, policies and institutional, health and physical sustainability. Social sustainability did not differ significantly between the two districts, indicating comparable levels of community participation, family support and social well-being. Statement-wise analysis further revealed significant differences in several sustainable practices between the two districts. However, the overall Cohen's d values indicated negligible effect sizes across most dimensions, suggesting that although statistical differences existed, the magnitude of these differences was generally small. The study concludes that traditional districts showed better ecological and economic sustainability due to their long experience in sericulture, while non-traditional districts performed better in technological, institutional, health and physical sustainability because of improved infrastructure, scientific practices and stronger extension support. Enhancing extension services, institutional support and the adoption of sustainable technologies can further improve the sustainability of sericulture farming in Karnataka.