The Intensity and Nature of Agricultural Crisis among Different Farmer Groups in Uttar Pradesh, India: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The agricultural crisis is closely associated with declining farm viability, fragmented landholdings, indebtedness, limited livelihood opportunities, and uneven access to productive resources. These concerns are particularly important in Uttar Pradesh, where agricultural conditions vary substantially across regions and categories of farming households. This paper investigates the magnitude and nature of the agricultural crisis among farming households in the selected districts of Meerut, Jalaun, and Kushinagar, representing the Western, Bundelkhand, and Eastern regions of Uttar Pradesh, respectively. The study is based on primary data collected from 540 households across the three districts. To analyse the nature of the agricultural crisis, a composite index is constructed using indicators related to cropping intensity, crop yield, indebtedness, foodgrain availability, access to modern technology, livelihood opportunities, and agricultural viability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used to compute the composite index. The study then compares the crisis index across different farm-size groups and employs regression analysis to examine factors associated with variations in the intensity of the agricultural crisis. Data show that the agricultural crisis is more severe among small farmers than among large farmers. The regression results also show that social-group characteristics, total factor productivity, irrigation facilities, and alternative livelihood options are significantly associated with variations in the crisis index, while farm size is also statistically significant. The findings indicate that agricultural crises cannot be defined solely by the extent of landholdings. Rather, they reflect the combined influence of production capacity, access to resources, social characteristics, and livelihood diversity. The study therefore highlights the need for policies that address the multidimensional nature of agricultural distress, particularly among marginal and small farming households.