Empowering the Margins: Assessing the Inclusivity of Agricultural Development Schemes in Mysuru District

Abstract

This study evaluates the operational inclusivity of state and central agricultural development schemes across the distinct socio-economic landscapes of Mysuru District, Karnataka. While regional agricultural policies aim to enhance rural livelihoods, smallholders, landless laborers, women, and marginalized castes often face structural bottlenecks that limit their access to these benefits. Utilizing a stratified random sampling methodology, primary data was gathered from 400 rural households across all seven talukas of Mysuru District.The empirical framework applies a robust four stage statistical testing architecture: the Chi-Square Test of Independence, Independent Samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA, and Multiple Linear Regression. The empirical results reveal substantial disparities in scheme accessibility, driven primarily by landholding size, caste categories, and digital literacy. While high-subsidy programs like Krishi Bhagya and the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) show high adoption rates among medium and large landholders, marginal farmers face exclusion due to rigid documentation requirements and complex digital delivery setups. The paper concludes with targeted policy measures designed to move from nominal, compliance driven distribution to an equitable, needs-based framework for rural welfare.