An Analytical Study of the Relationship among Income, Indebtedness, and Standard of Living of Sugarcane Farmers in Sitapur District

This study examines the interrelationship among income, indebtedness, and standard of living of sugarcane farmers in Sitapur district. In the rural economy of Uttar Pradesh, sugarcane cultivation serves as a major source of livelihood. However, farmers face persistent economic challenges such as income instability, rising input costs, and delayed payments from sugar mills. These factors increase dependence on credit and lead to higher levels of indebtedness, which in turn affect their living conditions. The study is based on primary data collected from 200 sugarcane farmers through a structured questionnaire using a stratified random sampling method. A Composite Standard of Living Index is constructed using indicators such as housing condition, access to basic amenities, and household expenditure. The data is analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression techniques to examine the relationships among the variables. The empirical results reveal that income has a positive and statistically significant effect on the standard of living, while indebtedness has a negative and significant effect. A moderate inverse relationship is observed between income and indebtedness, indicating that lower income levels are associated with higher borrowing. The combined analysis confirms that income and indebtedness jointly influence the socio-economic condition of farmers. The findings suggest that improving income stability, ensuring timely payments, and strengthening access to institutional credit are essential for enhancing the standard of living of sugarcane farmers. The study provides useful insights for policymakers and planners to design more effective agricultural and rural financial policies.