Impact of socio-economic factors on farm income under existing farming systems: A study in north-western Himalayas

The present study was conducted in the State of Himachal Pradesh which is located in North-Western Himalayas in between 30o22’40’’ to 33o12’40’’ North latitudes and 75o45’55’’ to 79o04’20’’ East longitudes. The study was conducted in all four agro-climatic zones of the hills of Himachal Pradesh and data from a total of 240 farmers was collected using stratified multistage random sampling technique. The different farming systems practiced by the farmers in the State were identified and multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to study the impact of socio-economic factors on farm income. The results of the study revealed that the coefficient of age of the farmers was positive in all the farming systems except V+F+D and was statistically significant in C+D farming system. Similarly, the coefficient of household size was also positive in all the farming systems except C+V+D,whereas, farmers’ education was found positively significant under C+V+F+D, C+F+D and V+F+D farming systems. Further, the coefficient of number of animals was positive and statistically significant in all the farming systems except in V+F+D which revealed the positive relationship of livestock and farm income. It was concluded that farm income in the study area can be improved by directing policy measures that will increase the farmers’ knowledge and technical skills through enlightenment campaigns in the form of trainings, seminars, workshops etc.