Socio-economic Transformation through Custom Hiring Centres among Owners in Rural Haryana

Description

Page: 288-294

Amit Kumar, Subhash Chander, Vinod Kumari, and Virender (Department of Sociology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana)

Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) have emerged as a pivotal intervention in Indian agriculture, aimed at enhancing access to farm mechanization, especially for small and marginal farmers. However, limited research has been conducted on the socio-economic outcomes experienced by CHC owners themselves. This study seeks to evaluate the socio-economic transformation through CHCs among owners in rural Haryana among 240 farmers. This study investigates the socio-economic aspects of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) on owners in rural Haryana, focusing on agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Findings reveal that CHC ownership is predominantly among middle-aged individuals with moderate educational backgrounds. CHCs significantly enhance income levels, with a majority of owners reporting annual earnings between Rs. 2,00,001-4,00,000/-. Moreover, CHCs contribute to agricultural innovation and community welfare, though challenges remain in gender inclusivity and family involvement in agricultural operations. The study also found that CHCs significantly improved owners’ income, agricultural productivity and socio-economic status in rural Haryana. Widely used in-situ and ex-situ machinery boosted operational efficiency, while CHCs also enhanced community recognition, though their impact on gender roles remained limited. Overall, CHCs play a crucial role in transforming rural economies and improving livelihoods in Haryana. To enhance the inclusive impact of CHCs, there is a need to promote the participation of women and youth in CHC operations.