FEASIBILITY STUDY OF ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN KANDHAR BLOCK OF NANDED DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA

Abstract

Shekapur village in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra is predominantly an agricultural community with more than 90% of the land (over 500 acres) dedicated to cultivation. The village, surrounded by hilly terrain and situated next to the Manyad river, faces challenges such as limited access to nearby markets for crops like Sugarcane and Turmeric, as well as a lack of modern machinery. The majority of farmers are aged between 50 and 60 and rely on traditional farming methods. Intercropping is common among small and marginal farmers to maximize production on limited land. There is a need for advanced machinery to increase productivity. Groundwater depletion is a future concern as more than 50% of farmers rely on borewells for irrigation. Lack of awareness about government support schemes, market information, and workshops hinders the farmers' access to resources and knowledge. Livestock rearing is practiced as an allied activity, with buffaloes being the dominant livestock due to two local dairies. The availability of agricultural labor has reduced, and the majority of farmers have loans from the State Bank of India. Overall, the agriculture productivity of the village is moderate, and farmers believe it will take another 10 to 20 years to achieve the level of modern agriculture seen in Western Maharashtra.