SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POTATO GROWING FARMERS IN KANGRA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Potato is a principal cash crop in Himachal Pradesh. The production of potato is 198.66 thousand tonnes in 2017-18 and shares a major part in the vegetable production in the state. The socio-economic survey of sample farms in study area revealed that the average family size was composed of 5 members and majority of family members (27%) were in the age group of 16-30 years. Agriculture along with livestock was the main occupation of majority of sampled farm. The pattern of land utilization pattern showed that the average size of farm holdings was 0.82 ha out of which nearly two-third (66%) was under irrigation. The average number of animals maintained on an average farm was 3.13. In Kharif season, vegetable crops were the most important crops and in Rabi season potato was most important. The per farm productivity of potato varied from 160.80 q/ha on small farm to 168.60 q/ha on large farms. About 50 percent of the total farm’s income was generated by agriculture and allied activities and out of total income generated through agriculture, about 10 percent was contributed by potato crop. This crop contributed three times more towards the total income of the large farms than contribution in the income of small farms. The contribution of non-farm income in the total income of farmers was found to be about 43 to 47 percent across the different categories of farms. Results showed that socio-economic conditions of farmers also greatly affect the organisation and management of farms, Large farmers have better potato production because of better socio economic condition