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2018 - 20192
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Subject: Agricultural Economics × Author: Gagandeep Kaur × End date: 2020 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    Incidence of poverty amongst agricultural labour, marginal and small farmers in central Punjab
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Gagandeep Kaur; Arjinder Kaur
    The present study was undertaken to examine the extent of poverty and identify the determinants causing it amongst agricultural labour, marginal and small farmers in central Punjab. For this study, data were collected from 120 households of two districts in central Punjab. The study revealed thatincidence of poverty was more in agricultural labour category followed by marginal farm category. None of the small farmer was found living below the poverty line. The proportion of deficit households was more in agricultural labour category due to their low incomes. In small farm category the proportion of deficit households was more as compared to marginal farm category on account of higher expenditure on non-food items and social ceremonies. The regression coefficient of number of earners was found to be positive and significant determinant of poverty amongst the sampled categories in central Punjab. Family size and expenditure on social ceremonies were found to be negatively significant determinants of poverty. So, there is a need to create more employment opportunities as well as awareness programs to control the family size. Farmers need to rationalize their household expenditure especially on non-food items and social ceremonies which can enhance the surpluses of farming families.
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    Diversification of rural economy: A village study
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gagandeep Kaur; Raj Kumar
    The present study has been carried out in village Lohara of District Sri Muktsar Sahib (Punjab) to study the changing faces of rural economy through crop and occupational diversification of. A sample of 225 households was selected by using multistage random sampling technique.The sample consists of 104 households from farm sector and 121 households from non-farm sector. The farm households were further categorized as small (16), semi-medium (28), medium (48) and large (12) farmers according to the standard classification. The information regarding overtime changes in cropping pattern, employment and income pattern, investment pattern on farm and livestock, standard of living and factors influencing diversification was collected for the two periods of time viz. 2000-01 and 2016-17. Herfindahl-Hirschman Diversification Index (DI) was computed for both the periods under study to capture and compare the level of crop diversification. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare any significant difference between DI for two time periods. The crop diversification index for Kharif season was found to be increased significantly in 2016-17 over 2000-01. It was due to the shift of area towards non-basmati and basmati paddy, the strongest alternatives of cotton crop. It happened because of the failure of cotton crop due to adverse biotic and abiotic conditions such as insect pest attacks, untimely rains, etc. which resulted in poor returns from the crop. Besides, the government policies and marketing facilities in favour of paddy also attracted farmers for its cultivation. The farm investment in machinery, implements and farm buildings is found to be increased over the period of time. The analysis of occupational diversification showed that the proportion of persons in employed in agriculture and its allied activities has reduced overtime. On the other hand the employment in non-farm sector has increased. In the non-farm sector, highest proportion of persons was observed as wage earners followed by the self employees in 2016-17. The major constraints to agricultural diversification especially for not shifting from paddy-wheat cropping pattern to other crops are lack of market infrastructure, price volatility, productivity risk, marketing risk, weak resource base and high input costs. Barriers to growth leading occupational diversification reported were educational level, caste hierarchy, lack of skills, lack of opportunities and requirement of high investment in self-employment. To promote crop diversification in the state there is need to implement price difference payment scheme, development of value addition and food processing sector. Farmer Producer Organizations need to be encouraged through favourable government policies. Upliftment of educational status and skill base is suggested for growth leading occupational diversification.