Socio-economic characteristics, landholding pattern, and dairy practices of farmers in Vindhyan Region of Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2024–25 in the Vindhyan region of Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh, to assess the socio-economic, landholding, educational, and livestock management characteristics of rural farming households. A total of 576 respondents were surveyed through a structured questionnaire administered during veterinary clinical camps, using stratified random sampling to ensure representation across farm size and income categories. Results revealed that agriculture in the region is predominantly smallholder-based, with 80.3 percent of farmers owning less than 10 acres of land. Educational attainment remained low, as 34.03 percent of respondents were illiterate and 27.78 percent had only primary-level education. Nearly 64 percent earned below ?1,00,000 annually, indicating substantial economic vulnerability. Agriculture and livestock together constituted the primary livelihood source for 79.5 percent of respondents. Dairy practices were largely traditional, dominated by hand milking (73.96%) and local market sales (46.35%). The findings highlight limited livelihood diversification and persistent dependence on low-return subsistence agriculture in Mirzapur district.