International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
PM Hatitel, JR Kadam, PM Zagade, SK Mayekar, GR Uike and Abasaheb Vilas Desai

abstract
The study was undertaken in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of the Konkan region, Maharashtra, to analyze the socio-economic profile characteristics of farm labourers working under Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth (DBSKKV). An ex-post facto research design was employed, and data were collected from 120 randomly selected farm labourers across major research stations of the University. The results revealed that most respondents belonged to the middle-age category (69.17%), had education up to primary or secondary level (67.50%), lived in medium-sized families (54.17%), owned marginal to small landholdings (73.33%), and earned low to medium annual income (62.50%). The average farming experience was 34 years, with two-thirds of respondents falling in the medium category. Farm labour served as the primary occupation, while subsidiary wage work provided supplementary income. The study concluded that farm labourers constitute a socio-economically vulnerable group with limited skills, unstable income, and poor access to resources. Targeted interventions focusing on livelihood diversification, skill development, and social protection are required to improve their economic security and quality of life.