Socio-Demographic Status of Farmers in Five Aspirational Districts of West Bengal: Insights from the Biotech-KISAN Hub Programme

Abstract

The socio-demographic profile of farmers is a crucial determinant of agricultural development, technology adoption, and livelihood resilience. This study analysed the socio-economic characteristics of 31,742 farmers across five aspirational districts of West Bengal (Birbhum, Nadia, Malda, Dakshin Dinajpur, and Murshidabad) under the DBT-funded Biotech-KISAN Hub Programme. Primary data were collected using a structured survey schedule, and analysed through descriptive statistics and inferential tests (χ², ANOVA). Results revealed feminization of agriculture (63.27% female farmers), dominance of smallholder farming (64.14% ≤2 ha), and prevalence of joint family systems (61.85%). Educational attainment was low, with only 8.79% graduates, and nearly half of households earned ≤₹5,000/month. However, training exposure was relatively high (84.02%), correlating with significantly better incomes (p < 0.01). Youth farmers (<35 years) earned more than older counterparts, while male farmers earned higher than females. The study highlights critical challenges—low mechanization, income vulnerability, limited landholding and opportunities for gender empowerment, youth engagement, smallholder-focused policy, and inclusive agricultural strategies. Findings provide evidence for designing targeted interventions to accelerate socio-economic transformation in aspirational districts.