Socioeconomic Characteristics and Income Inequality among Kinnow Growers: A Comparative Study of Fazilka and Sriganganagar

This study examines the socioeconomic characteristics of Kinnow growers in Fazilka (Punjab) and Sriganganagar (Rajasthan) using primary data collected during the 2020–21 crop year from 480 growers (240 in each district). Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, chi-square tests, Cramér’s V, Lorenz curves, and Gini coefficients were used to compare landholding, demographic characteristics, household conditions, and income distribution. The results show that Kinnow cultivation is concentrated among medium and semi-medium farmers. These categories together account for 87.50% of sampled growers in Fazilka and 86.67% in Sriganganagar. Mean landholding is higher in Sriganganagar (6.85 ha) than in Fazilka (5.34 ha), while landholding inequality is higher in Fazilka (Gini = 0.626) than in Sriganganagar (0.510). Growers in both districts are predominantly middle-aged, married, and formally educated. Mean family size is 6.5875 members in Fazilka and 6.7208 in Sriganganagar. Mean monthly household electricity consumption is also similar at 475 and 474.16 units, respectively. Mean annual income is slightly higher in Fazilka (₹5.8125 lakh) than in Sriganganagar (₹5.525 lakh), whereas income inequality is substantially lower in Sriganganagar (Gini = 0.202) than in Fazilka (Gini = 0.352). The chi-square results indicate a statistically significant association between landholding size and annual income in both districts. The findings highlight the socially selective nature of Kinnow cultivation and the need for targeted credit, extension, market-linkage, skill-development, and smallholder inclusion measures.