Few studies of agrarian transition examine what farmers themselves feel about farming. Are they cultivating out of choice or a lack of options? What distinguishes farmers who like farming from t hose who do not: their personal and household characteristics and endowments? The local ecology and regional economy? Or a mix of these and other factors?
Understanding farmer satisfaction is important not only for assessing citizen well – being but also for agricultural productivity, since occupational satisfaction can affect a farmerâs i ncentive to invest and reveal production constraints. Using a unique all – India data set which asked farmers â do you like farming? â this paper provides answers and policy pointers, contributing a little – studied dimension to debates on the smallholderâs future and subjective well – being.