“Socio-Economic Profile of Groundnut Growers in the Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh: An Empirical Analysis”

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops grown under diverse agro-
climatic conditions and plays a vital role in enhancing farmers’ income and livelihood security. The socio-
economic characteristics of groundnut growers are important for designing effective extension
interventions and policy measures for increasing productivity. The present study was conducted in the
Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh to study the socio-economic profile of groundnut growers. An ex-
post facto research design was used in the study. Jhansi and Mahoba districts were purposively selected
based on maximum area and production under groundnut cultivation. A multistage random sampling
procedure was used to select 480 groundnut growers. Data were collected through a pre-tested structured
interview schedule and analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results
indicated that most of the respondents (64.59%) were in the middle age group and 86.67 per cent were
male respondents. A large proportion (97.29%) of the respondents were literate, 53.75 per cent were
educated up to intermediate level, and 59.17 per cent were from Other Backwards Classes, and 89.58 per
cent were Hindus. Small and marginal farmers together accounted for 71.46 per cent of the respondents.
Agriculture was the main occupation of 89.38 per cent of the respondents, and 75.00 per cent of them lived
in pucca houses. The study finds that groundnut cultivation in Bundelkhand is mainly done by middle-
aged, literate, small and marginal farmers having high dependence on agriculture as their main source of
livelihood. The findings provide useful insights to extension agencies, researchers and policy makers to
develop location-specific strategies for improving groundnut productivity and enhancing farmers’
livelihoods in the region.