Published Paper Details:

This paper deals with the role of agro-based industries in employment and income generation across the selected districts in the state of Karnataka, India. Data obtained from 480 respondents across eight districts was analysed by employing the statistical tools such as Z-test, proportion analysis and descriptive statistics. The results revealed that agro-based industries contribute significantly to local employment, with over 80% of household income in these regions derived from such industries. Z-test confirmed that the proportion of employment migration significantly exceeds the hypothesized value, highlighting the sector's impact on stabilizing livelihoods. Despite their positive contributions, challenges such as labour shortages, seasonal employment, and limited sustainability measures persist. The study concludes with recommendations for targeted infrastructure development, enhanced skill training programs and policies to maximize the socio-economic benefits of agro-based industries.