Vidarbha dists far from climate resilience, need urgent action: Study
Yavatmal is still stuck in a deadly drought-cotton trap, and Gadchiroli's tribal growers are at a loss for options to stem crop loss. A new study has exposed the growing divide in Vidarbha, revealing how some districts are adapting to climate change, while others are perilously at the mercy of vagaries of nature in the absence of basic support needed to mitigate environmental adversities.
The study, conducted by Chaitanya Ashok Adhav, a PhD scholar in agricultural economics and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research Fellowship researcher with govt of Maharashtra, brings out the climate resilience dichotomy in Vidarbha.
In the absence of urgent, district-wise action, the region could reel under a new fresh wave of agrarian crisis. "Vidarbha is not a uniform region when it comes to climate preparedness.
While districts like Nagpur and Akola are coping better, places like Yavatmal, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur are still in the environmental and economical quagmire," Adhav told TOI.
The study, published in the International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, uses a special climate resilience index to measure each district's risk, support systems and ability to recover from climate shocks.
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As per the research, Nagpur leads the region in climate resilience, thanks to the presence of research institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), market access and adoption of drought-tolerant seeds. Many farmers here use precision farming and benefit from post-harvest infrastructure and agro-processing units. But even Nagpur has gaps. "Tribal communities and women farmers in Nagpur's interiors are often excluded from such benefits, necessitating these reach out across the district," says Adhav.
The study identifies three worst-hit districts. Yavatmal, infamous for farm suicides, continues to suffer from droughts, erratic rainfall and over-reliance on cotton monocropping. Govt schemes like PM Fasal Bima Yojana haven't had the desired impact. "Farmers, it seems, have lost faith in the system," says Adhav.
In predominantly tribal Gadchiroli where people are largely dependent on forests, the lack of modern irrigation facility, mobile networks and agri-extension services means central schemes like
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) never reach them, the study claims.
It also points out that coal-rich Chandrapur is poor in sustainable agriculture and extensive mining is only worsening the situation. "Though Chandrapur has roads and infrastructure, the local climate is wreaking havoc which is putting farming communities in danger," Adhav explains.
Though the situation in Washim, Wardha, Gondia and Buldhana districts is not bad, it can't be termed as doing well either. They benefit from access to govt schemes like Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and PMKSY, but these districts are plagued by problems such as depleting groundwater, small and scattered landholdings, and skewed access — richer farmers benefit more — eventually leading to poor climate resilience, the study states.
The research points out that these districts have embraced mixed cropping, integrated farming and agri-digital platforms like e-NAM. In Bhandara, community-led irrigation and better rainfall have helped. Akola and Amravati's research networks are translating into practical help for farmers on the ground, the study says.
Adhav urges a district-specific climate action plan, customised to local needs and realities.
"This is a crisis we can still manage but requires smart and quick action. We need to fix what's broken before climate disasters become the new normal in Vidarbha," Adhav said.
# Suggestions for the region
Strengthening local support systems and village-level agriculture offices
Improving the reach of govt schemes to small and marginal farmers
Spreading climate awareness in local languages
Using both traditional knowledge and modern techniques to improve farming
Ensuring that women and landless workers are also included in benefit programmes
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