AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE OF RURAL RICE FARMERS IN DISTRICT SWAT

The study was conducted in district Swat during 2007 to investigate the socioeconomic profiles of rural rice farmers. To this end, primary data was collected through structured questionnaire using a sample of size one hundred allocating to three tehsils selected purposively, each comprising three villages selected on the basis of proportional sampling technique. Rice farmers were found associated with agriculture sector. Income and, consumption pattern was found substandard. Major occupations were teaching, fishing and daily wage earners. Most of the rice farmers were found uneducated and tenants. Men generally made decisions. Villagers used to derive their food sustenance from their own farm products. Cattle, buffalo, cow and poultry were the major livestock. The major sources of income were farm incomes and foreign remittances. The major heads of expenditures were food items, clothing, education, health, electricity, house rent, sui-gas, water and investment activities. The total expenditures recorded were Rs. 14060 per month. They were found engaged in subsistence level of farming. The Govt. should take steps to improve their standard of living