Assessment of the Agroforestry System on Farmers Socioeconomic Status in Azamgarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India
Gyan Shri Kaushal *
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P., India.
A. J. Raj
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P., India.
Hemant Kumar
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P., India.
Neelam Khare
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P., India.
Shalini Masih
Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Rajiv Umrao
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study investigated that the Socioeconomic status and use of an agroforestry system, 20 farmers from one district, four blocks, and four villages per block were randomly selected. The socioeconomic condition of the agroforestry system in the Azamgarh districts of Uttar Pradesh is based on preliminary study. According to the size of their holdings, the respondents were divided into Palhani, Bilariyaganj, Mehnagar, and Jahanaganj block farmers, and observations were made about their socioeconomic profiles. Farmers ranged in age from middle-aged to elderly; the majority had completed middle school, whereas large farmers were more likely to have completed high school; most of them were nuclear families with semi-cemented or cemented homes and had more than 10 years of expertise in agriculture and agroforestry. Their family sizes ranged from medium to big, or over 5 individuals. In the three categories of farmers, the risk orientation ranged from low to medium; the scientific orientation was of a medium degree. The large farmers were found to be more exposed to the media, and most farmers were found to attend group meetings. Smallholder farmers, especially in developing nations, contribute significantly to local, regional, and economies as a result of socioeconomic and environmental constraints. About 75% of the world's agricultural land is used by smallholders.
Keywords: Agroforestry, farming system, farmers, socioeconomic status