Demographic and economic status of Khuti dwellers in Assam

This study assessed the socio-economic status of Khuti dwellers in Assam, focusing on demographic, educational, and economic variables across four districts: Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Sonitpur, and Biswanath. Stratified random sampling was employed to select 100 respondents from 20 Khuti farms, with data collected through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the relationships between socio-economic variables. Key findings showed that the respondents were predominantly in their economically productive years, with an average age of 43.61 years. The majority of respondents had medium-sized families (86%) and medium education levels (66%), with a significant difference in educational status across the study areas (F = 5.195, p < 0.01). The socio-economic status of Khuti dwellers was further influenced by occupation, with buffalo farming being the primary source of livelihood for 68% of respondents, followed by agriculture (22%). The average farming experience was 23.90 years, with significant variation in farming experience across the study areas (F = 5.113, p < 0.01). Extension contact and mass media exposure were important factors in enhancing socio-economic conditions, with significant differences observed across the study areas (F = 13.60, p < 0.01 for extension contact; F = 4.15, p < 0.01 for mass media exposure). The mean annual income from buffalo rearing was ?1,13,200, with significant regional variation (F = 13.425, p < 0.01). The study highlights the socio-cultural factors shaping Khuti dwellers’ livelihoods, including family size, education, and occupation. It underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to address regional disparities and improve access to resources and services for buffalo farming communities in Assam.