International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Monal Takote, Balakdas Ganvir and Vanita Khobarkar

abstract
An attempt has been made in the present investigation to study the socio-economic status of tribal farmers of Melghat region in Maharashtra. The study area was Chikhaldara and Dharani tehsil of Amravati district were purposively selected for the study because the highest concentration of tribal population. The data were collected through personal interview from tribal farmers with the help of pre tested interview schedule. A total sample of 200 tribal farmers was selected randomly from 10 villages of two tehsil during 2020-2021. The study revealed that out of 200 selected tribal families 140 (70.00%) families observed as joint family from that 77 (77.00%) families were from Chikhaldara tehsil and 63 (63.00%) were from Dharani tehsil because among the tribal communities, traditional values and social ethics plays an important role. Among selected tribal 133 (66.50%) families belonged to the medium family size. Overall illiteracy percentage was 29.00 percent and education up to primary level, low capital investment in productive asset was seen amongst the tribal families. Tribal farmer had average land holding of 1.82 ha with cropping intensity of 180.00 percent. The cropping pattern was predominant with food grain crops indicating subsistent agriculture. Each farmer possessed with average of 1 goat and 2 bullocks. Overall average age of marriage was 19.37 years. This showed that tribals get married at early age.