Fighting Drought and Improving Food Security in Maharashtra: A Women-led Climate Resilient Farming Initiative
Fighting Drought and Improving Food Security in Maharashtra: A Women-led Climate Resilient Farming Initiative
Authors : Anwesha Tewary – Swayam Shikshan Prayog
Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) promotes sustainable community development through
empowerment of women at the grassroots. SSP widely advocates for the recognition of
grassroots women in their new roles of farmers, entrepreneurs, community leaders and
change makers. At the core of SSP’s approach is building robust partnership eco-systems
that enable grassroots women’s networks to access skills training, financial and digital
literacy, technology and marketing platforms. The organization started its work in rural
reconstruction with women in the forefront, following the Latur earthquake in 1993. Ever
since, SSP’s concerted efforts have been the socio-economic empowerment of women in
some of the drought affected districts of the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India. SSP
operates in Latur, Osmanabad, Solapur, Nanded, Washim and Beed districts of Maharashtra
most of which have earned the dubious distinction due to rising farmer suicides and
recurring droughts owing to climate change implications on agriculture economy.
Marathwada, our project area, is the worst drought-hit region. According to a recent
publication by the Hindustan Times , the State Government of Maharashtra has declared
drought for 26 districts out of the 36 districts in the State. One of the driest regions in
India, Marathwada falls under three major agro-climatic zones that range from scarce to
moderate to assured rainfall and experiences 44% lesser rainfall than the national average
and 20% coverage in irrigation.
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