Socio-economic Factors Associated with Fuel Consumption in Rural Areas (VILL. Karaundi)

Abstract

An attempt has been made in this study to assess the contribution of socio-economic factors (viz. occupation, family size, annual income, land holding and cattle) in determining domestic fuel consumption in rural areas. Fuel consumption is divided in two categories according to use of alternative sources of energy. To find the significance of socio-economic factors in determining the quantity of fuel consumption, the two characters (i) total fuel consumption and (ii) per capita fuel consumption have been analysed. Satistical results show that relationships between fuel consumption with each factor are significant when alternative sources of energy are used while for the second category without alternative sources of energy only family size shows the significant relationship with fuel consumption. Per capita fuel consumption is low when alternative sources of energy are used. Enhanced use of alternative sources of energy can balance the increasing demand of fuel wood and make use of fuel more economic.