Socio-economic Study of Small Farmers of Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Jammu and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir. From each district, three villages
were selected randomly. Thus, a total of six villages were selected. A study was carried out prior to the research study to
know about the major crops grown for food grains, livestock and the availability of water for irrigation. Wheat and paddy
constitute the major crops grown in these villages. Potato is also cultivated by limited number of families. Barseem is
grown for live - stock and mustard is also grown by some respondents. Almost the entire area is irrigated. From each
selected village fifteen respondents were selected purposively. The selection of respondents was on the basis of their size
of land holdings. Farmers having land holdings up to 2 hectares were selected. The final sample, thus consisted of 90
respondents. Data was obtained by a well prepared semi-structured interview schedule, which also consisted of a set of
eight statements related to non adoption of technology. The huge yield gap between the yields obtained and the maximum
obtainable yields have to be narrowed. There is a considerable potential to increase production and yield per hectare by the
introduction of new inputs and improved practices of cultivation.