[6] A STUDY OF ECONOMIC CONDITION OF THE FARMERS IN THE GARDEN AREA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HATHRAS DISTRICT, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

How to Cite : Dushyant Kumar & Satyavrat Singh Rawat (2026). A Study of Economic Condition of The Farmers in the Garden Area with Special Reference to Hathras District, Uttar Pradesh, India. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(9), 56-66. https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i9.2026.56-66

Abstract

Garden or orchard farming, comprising fruit crops such as mango and guava along with allied horticultural produce, has emerged as an important source of livelihood diversification for farmers in the semi-arid tracts of western Uttar Pradesh. This paper examines the economic condition of farmers engaged in garden/orchard cultivation in Hathras district, with a focus on land holding pattern, cropping structure, income levels, and the constraints faced by growers. The study is based on primary data collected from a sample of 150 garden farmers through a structured schedule, supplemented by a comparison group of 150 traditional (field-crop) farmers, and is analysed using descriptive statistics, the independent-samples t-test, Karl Pearson's coefficient of correlation, and the chi-square test of association. The results indicate that garden farmers earn a significantly higher mean annual income (₹1,85,000) than traditional crop farmers (₹1,42,000), that farm size is positively and significantly correlated with income (r = 0.62), and that farm-size category is significantly associated with income category (χ² = 61.67, df = 4, p < 0.01). However, inadequate irrigation, exploitation by intermediaries, absence of cold-storage infrastructure, and limited institutional credit continue to constrain the sector. The paper concludes with policy suggestions for strengthening horticultural marketing, credit, and processing infrastructure in the district.