Assessing the factors contributing to farmers’ income

A study was conducted to compare the factors contributing farmers’ income in two states namely Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh of India. The average monthly income of farmers in Madhya Pradesh (` 5986) was higher than that of Uttar Pradesh (` 4924). The share of income from cultivation was higher in Madhya Pradesh (MP) than that of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The percentage share of net monthly income from livestock was same for both the states. In both the states, there was a positive correlation between share of income from cultivation and size of land. The share of income from livestock farming decreased with increase in land holding, except for category of land size of 4.01–10.00 hectares. Net receipts from non-farm business also decreased with increase in land holding, except for land size class of 1.01–2.00 ha. Income from wages/salary also followed same pattern except for land holding size of more than 10.00 ha which might be due to better employment opportunities in service sector.