Economic Viability of Marginal and Small Farmers in Punjab

The study has analysed the viability of marginal and small farmers in the state of Punjab. The status of farmers who have left farming during the past decades has also been investigated. The primary data were collected from 450 farmers comprising 94 small farmers and 206 semi-medium, medium and large farmers and 150 who had left farming. The data related to the agricultural year 2012–13. The study has revealed that the number of marginal and small holdings has declined drastically during the period 1970–71 to 2010–11 and the economic status of small and marginal farmers was not good as about 90 per cent of them were under debt. The study has found that out of 3,507 farmers who committed suicides during the period 2000–2011, about 80 per cent were marginal and small farmers in Punjab. It was found that among the total farmers who left farming, 39 per cent were marginal and 43 per cent were small farmers and most of them had left farming in distress. A large number of farm-leaving small and marginal farmers were working as labourers and were not satisfied with their new occupations.