International Journal of Research in Engineering, Science and Management Volume-2, Issue-11, November-2019 www.ijresm.com | ISSN (Online): 2581-5792 655 Abstract: Rice is principal crop in Odisha, covering 60.55 percent of total cultivated area. This article starts with the objective of examining the socio-economic background of rice growing farmers in Balasore district of Odisha. Balasore district of Odisha is selected as the sample. 600 farmers are randomly selected from four blocks of the study area. Out of which, 594 questionnaires have been considered as valid. The data is based on farmers perception point of view. It is observed that 159 farmers are in between 31-40 years of age. The maximum of 196 farmers earn income of range in between Rs. 40,001 to Rs. 70,000. The number of male farmers out of 594 total farmers is 572. 64 number of farmers are both of cultivation of rice with having both wholly owned and leased in land. 297 as the highest number of farmers having 2 to 4 acres of land. It is concluded that socio-economic background is the significant parameter for rice farming and its marketing, as facilities and schemes by the government are concerned for augmenting rice production in the study area with the objective of enhancement of welfare of rice growing farmers. In this connection, government may bring more attention for promotion of rice farming and its marketing with a view to achieve more benefit of farmers in the study area. Keywords: Farmers, Rice, Socio-Economic. 1. Introduction Rice is one of the major food grain of India. Moreover, this country has the largest area under rice cultivation, as it is one of the principal food crops. In fact, it is the dominant crop of the country. Rice is the basic food crop and being a tropical plant, it flourishes comfortably in hot and humid climate. In Odisha, rice is synonymous with food. Agriculture in Odisha to a considerable extent means growing rice. Rice is principal crop in Odisha, covering 60.55 percent of total cultivated area. Total area under crops exhibited a healthy increase of 25 percent over the previous years in 2016-17 (Odisha Economic Survey, 2017- 18). The production of rice increased to 97.94 lakh MT during 2016-17 from 68.59 lakh MT during 2005-06. But its production, decreased to 65.51 lakh MT during 2017-18 because of unfavorable climatic condition (Odisha Economic Survey 2017-18). Similarly, rice is the staple food of Balasore district of Odisha. During the year 2014-15, the production of paddy in Balasore was 7596244 quintals (District Statistical Hand Book, Balasore, 2015). In order to augment rice production leading to strengthen the socio-economic background of the rice growing farmers in the district of Balasore of Odisha, it is pertinent to analyse the socio- economic background of the rice growing farmers in the study area. 2. Review of Literature Hnin Yu LWIN et al. (2006) have evaluated the rice marketing channels and the interaction of market participants in selected areas of Myanmar. The major rice marketing channels in the studied sites indicate that almost all products of farmers flow to collectors and millers. The authors found that lack of formal cooperative structures, farmers support groups as well as growing market power of millers at the farm-gate level result that farmers possess low bargaining power in trading of rice at the studied areas. The authors suggested that government should build-up the cooperatives not only to encourage the bargaining power of farmers at farm gate level but also to accelerate the market intelligence of intermediaries in the channel of rice marketing. Further, authors have pointed out that a public market information center organized by government and nonprofit rice traders organization is need to be distributed up-to-date market information effectively and efficiently in order to reconcile the conflicting sources of information. Veena Goel et al. (2008) have focused on the marketing practices, marketing structures and firms motives for vertical coordination of the paddy-rice distribution system during the post green revolution period in the Punjab state of India. The study has examined that the emergence of public sector as a giant player in the paddy (non-basmati) wholesale markets, unscrupulous practices for paddy or rice supplies, wide disparities in raised issue of prices, reduced off take from the public distribution system, introducing various schemes to off load excessive stocks and improve marketing efficiency. The study has also found private milling gains momentum during the downward phase of the industry on account of increased profitability. A Study on Socio-Economic Background of Rice Growing Farmers in Balasore District of Odisha Pramod Kumar Das 1 , Gitanjali Panda 2 , Sanjib Kumar Majhi 3 1 Lecturer, Department of Economics, Baba Bhairabananda (Autonomous) Mahavidyalaya, Chandikhole, India 2,3 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, India