Drought and Farmer Suicides in Marathwada: A Natural or Manmade Disaster?

Abstract

On an average, after every seven to ten years of cycle, Maharashtra faces severe drought in majority districts. Some of the other regions in the state suffered droughts in the years 1972–1973, 1982–1983, 1996, 2002–2003 and 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018. Marathwada is one of the most drought-affected region in the state due to various geographical and climate change reasons. Drought leads to drastic cut in agricultural production, farmer’s suicides, migration, water scarcity, starvation, malnutrition, poverty, poor health and education, cattle food grain scarcity, etc. Marathwada is known as one of the backward regions of the state in terms of employment opportunity, industrialization, social and economic development. The region is mostly depend on agriculture for livelihood. Thus, in absence of rain face serious disaster. However, the problem of drought and suicide has invited attention to interrogate why the problem is long lasting and lack of incapability to resolve it, since independence. The paper seek answers few question; whether drought and farmer suicides are natural or manmade disasters. What are the policy level efforts of the state and its impact? Sociopolitical, geographical and economic reasons for the issue? The author has used qualitative and quantitative research methodology for this research and brought out interesting insides about the problem.