Sustainable livelihood analysis was attempted to elucidate the factors that affect the sources of livelihoods of sweet potato and paddy growers in Belagavi district of Karnataka. A sample of 60 sweet potato growers and 60 paddy growers were selected using snow ball sampling and data were collected using PRA tools, interview schedule and focus group discussions during July to December 2017. The sustainable livelihood index was worked out using the DFID methodology for all the capitals. Sweet potato growers realized 39 per cent higher net profit than the paddy growers. The overall human index was 46 for sweet potato growers and 52 for paddy growers. The overall physical capital index was more for sweet potato growers (72) as compared to paddy growers (70). Social capital index was similar to both the growers. The overall financial index was 40 for paddy growers and 36 for sweet potato growers. The overall natural capital index was 63 for sweet potato growers and 64 for paddy growers. The rural livelihood sustainable index was marginally more for paddy growers (58) than sweet potato growers 56. Similarities between capitals of sweet potato and paddy growers were in the decreasing order with respect to social, natural, physical, financial and human capitals. Major sources of livelihood were agriculture, employment in government/private sector and small business. The vulnerability factors were inflation, price fluctuation, crop failure and labour cost. Key words: Sweet potato; Paddy; Livelihood capital; Sustainable livelihood index;

Keyword: Sweet potato; Paddy; Livelihood capital; Sustainable livelihood index