Understanding the socio-economic profile of farm pond owners in the Vidarbha region, Maharashtra

Abstract

Farm pond-based fish culture is increasingly adopted in rural areas due to its dual role in supporting both irrigation and aquaculture. This study was conducted in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra to assess the socio-economic profile of farm pond owners engaged in fish farming. Data were collected from 120 respondents through a structured interview schedule, with equal samples drawn randomly from the Amravati and Nagpur divisions. The analysis, based on frequency and percentage methods, revealed that a majority of farm pond owners (52%) were middle-aged, 36% were graduates, and 77.5% were male. Hinduism was the predominant religion (85.53%), and most respondents belonged to the Other Backward Classes (38%). The vast majority were married (94%) and lived in nuclear families (67.5%), with medium-sized households being most common. Furthermore, 90% possessed orange ration cards, and 70% had less than five years of fish farming experience. In terms of landholding, 40.83% owned small agricultural plots, and 40% reported annual incomes ranging between ?3,00,001 and ?5,00,000. These findings highlight the demographic and economic characteristics of farm pond owners, offering insights for targeted interventions and policy planning to enhance the sustainability of integrated farming systems.