HINGOLI

In Hingoli, agriculture serves as the primary economic activity, with a significant portion of the population depending on it for their livelihood. More than half the population is engaged in agriculture to earn their living, with 82.89% of the 4.60 lakh workers involved in agriculture and allied activities. Approximately 1.47% are in cottage and household industries. The chief agricultural products in the district are jowar, cotton, pulses, rice, groundnut, and mango. Kharif jowar and cotton, Tur Gram are the major crops in the district. The adoption of new agricultural technologies amongst farmers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. NABARD has been putting emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices and productivity growth in agriculture and allied sectors, aiming at doubling farmers' income.

Seasonal employment in Hingoli, as in much of the Marathwada region, is heavily influenced by climatic conditions and water availability. Changing rainfall patterns and groundwater depletion force many farmworkers to migrate in search of employment. This seasonal migration extends beyond traditional sugarcane cutting to include a variety of jobs like ginger and turmeric harvesting, jaggery production, construction, and domestic work. The impact of climate change, characterized by unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry periods, and intense showers, significantly damages crops and reduces local job opportunities. As a result, farmers and laborers are compelled to seek work outside their villages. Compounding the problem, water scarcity diminishes local farming prospects during the summer, and the increased use of machinery in agriculture has reduced the demand for manual labor.

In response to these challenges, NABARD has introduced Area Development Schemes, such as those focusing on Dairy Development and Goat Farming. These initiatives aim to encourage farmers to diversify into allied income-generating activities, providing alternative sources of livelihood during periods of seasonal unemployment in agriculture.

Students seeking technical high school education can attend the Government Technical High School Center in Kalamnuri. Additionally, the Industrial Training Institute and private polytechnic institutes like JDT Polytechnic and Sakuntala Sudarshan Institute of Technology Polytechnic provide further learning opportunities in the technical field.