Assessment of Socio-Economic Status of Farmers and Distribution of Buffalo Population in the Mahakaushal Region of Madhya Pradesh

The study of socio-economical status of the farmers and distribution of buffalo population were conducted at Mahakaushal region of Madhya Pradesh. Mahakaushal, a region of central India, lies in the upper or eastern reaches of the Narmada river valley in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Data were collected through farmer’s interview from target districts. Survey was indicated that the buffalo population was distributed in entire Mahakaushal region of the Madhya Pradesh particularly in Jabalpur, Mandla, Dindori, Seoni districts and in parts of adjoining districts including Naringhpur, Balaghat, Chhindwada, Katani and Umaria. The overall socioeconomic status of farmers was poor in all the districts. The annual income of farmers of Jabalpur and Mandla districts was slightly higher than the farmers of Dindori and Seoni districts; it might be due to slightly higher irrigated lands (1-3 acres) and literate family members (4-5). The farmers in Mahakaushal region mainly depends upon the pasture feeding for their livestock. The place, where animals were gathered during grazing is known as Khirka. The mating normally occurs during grazing. It was revealed that on an average 90 percent farmers housed their animals only at night while 10 percent of farmers housed them both day and night. In 98 percent animal houses, floor was kachcha type. In about 95 percent animal house had no drainage system. In 100 percent animal house had kachcha type of drainage. The survey was the first attempt to study the demographic and geographical distribution in Mahakaushal region of Madhya Pradesh.

• Socioeconomic status of farmers was poor in majority of survey districts.

• Mainly Kachcha type of housing was followed in all the survey districts.

• The farmers livestock depends upon mainly pasture grazing.