Socio Economic Attributes of Wheat Growers in Mid Hills of Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh—An Appraisal

Abstract—The present study examines the socio-economic profile of wheat growers in Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Using a multistage random sampling design, 80 wheat growers were selected from ten villages across two randomly selected blocks. Results revealed that most farmers (53.75%) were smallholders with less than one hectare of land, indicating limited potential for large-scale mechanization and a focus on subsistence agriculture. Literacy rates among farm heads exceeded 90%, with large farmers showing slightly higher literacy (94.59%) than small farmers (93.02%), suggesting receptiveness to improved technologies. Agriculture remained the primary occupation (69.75% of household workers). Land use analysis showed cultivated land accounted for 81.43% of operational holdings, with 65.05% under irrigation. Wheat dominated the rabi season, occupying 39.04% of gross cropped area, while maize (25.27%) and paddy (12.83%) were major kharif crops. Cropping intensity averaged 190.32%, reflecting multiple cropping practices. The average family size was 5.78 members, with 58.75% nuclear families. Farm investment in machinery and implements showed a positive correlation with farm size, averaging ₹2,76,998 for small farms and ₹3,65,758 for large farms. Livestock inventory averaged 1.83 animals per farm, dominated by cows (39.36%) and buffaloes (33.29%). The study highlights the predominance of smallholders, high literacy, and diversified livelihood strategies in the region.