Assessing the Socio Economic Status of Mustard Farmers in Hamirpur District of Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study assessed the socio-economic status of mustard farmers in Hamirpur district of the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and examined the role of mustard cultivation in supporting rural livelihoods. Primary data were collected from 80 randomly selected mustard farmers across eight villages in Kurara and Maudaha blocks using a structured survey schedule. The survey covered landholding, age, education, annual income, farming experience, family size, gender composition, occupation, cropping pattern, family type, farm machinery, housing, sanitation, drinking-water source, cooking fuel and electricity access. The results showed that most respondents belonged to the medium (33.75 per cent) and semi-medium (32.50 per cent) farm-size categories. The largest age group was 46–60 years (36.25 per cent), and 52.50 per cent of farmers had more than 20 years of farming experience. Agriculture was the main livelihood activity, with 61.25 per cent of respondents depending solely on agriculture. The most common annual income range from mustard was Rs. 100,001–200,000, reported by 31.25 per cent of respondents. Joint families were predominant (68.75 per cent), and tractors and cultivators were the most commonly owned farm implements. The findings also indicated access to semi-pucca and pucca housing, LPG connections, private sanitation and grid electricity among most households. The study provides district-level evidence on the socio-economic profile and household conditions of mustard farmers in the selected area.