From Your Hands to Their Lands – Make a Difference

Bhongir district in Telangana is home to a large population of small and marginal farmers who primarily depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The majority of these farmers own less than two acres of land and face constant challenges due to erratic rainfall, rising input costs, and depleting soil fertility. Traditional chemical-based farming has led to long-term damage to land and water resources, making agriculture less profitable and more uncertain. Despite their hard work, many farmers struggle with debt, lack of market access, and minimal government support. Crops like paddy, cotton, and vegetables are commonly cultivated, but yields remain low due to poor soil health and inadequate technical knowledge. The district urgently needs interventions in sustainable farming practices, input support, and financial aid. Promoting organic farming and creating better linkages with markets can improve the livelihoods of farmers and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability in the region.

Latur, a district in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, is predominantly agrarian, with a large population of small and marginal farmers. The region frequently faces droughts, water scarcity, and low rainfall, making agriculture highly vulnerable and risky. Farmers primarily cultivate crops like tur (pigeon pea), soybean, cotton, and jowar, often relying on monsoon rains due to inadequate irrigation infrastructure. Repeated crop failures, rising input costs, and falling market prices have pushed many into debt, leading to widespread distress. In recent years, climate change, groundwater depletion, and soil degradation have worsened the situation. Despite these challenges, some farmers have begun adopting organic and natural farming practices, supported by NGOs and government programs promoting Jal Yukta Shivar, micro-irrigation, and sustainable agriculture. However, the scale remains limited. Latur's farmers need urgent support in the form of training, input subsidies, water management systems, and direct market linkages to ensure a stable and sustainable agricultural future.