NANDED

Nanded, located in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, relies heavily on agriculture as a key pillar of its economy. Nanded lies entirely inside the Deccan Plateau and has a Hot Semi-Arid climate. The agricultural landscape of Nanded is influenced by several rivers, with the Godavari River being the most prominent. Other rivers, including the Penganga, Manjara, and Manar, also flow through the region.

The soils of the Nanded district have developed due to the mountainous and undulating geography. Thus, the depth of the soil varies greatly. Soils on hills and slopes are shallow to medium in depth, whereas deep soils form in low-lying areas and river valleys as a result of upland soil accumulation and deposition. Thus, three major soil categories are identified: Black soil, Laterite soils, and Red soils.

Jowar (sorghum), wheat, maize, tur (pigeon pea), gram (chickpeas), groundnut (peanut), and soybean are among the staple crops that Nanded is famous for. These crops have played a crucial role in the local economy and diet for ages. Ragi, or finger millet, has also become more popular in recent years, indicative of a move towards more varied cropping practices.

Along with these basics, Nanded is renowned for producing oilseeds and pulses, which are vital for market supply as well as local consumption. The district's farmers also grow a wide range of fruits and vegetables, including onions, tomatoes, brinjal (eggplant), cabbage, carrots, and radishes. Additionally important is the production of fodder crops, which sustain the regional cattle sector.

The horticultural sector in Nanded is especially thriving, with a variety of fruits being grown. In addition to mangoes, pomegranates, bananas, guavas, and custard apples, the district is well-known for its oranges, notably sweet oranges and mosambi (sweet lime). These fruits improve the region's nutritional diversity in addition to boosting the local economy.

In addition to these horticultural offerings, cotton is widely cultivated across the district. The region also engages in sugarcane farming, further contributing to its agricultural diversity.

Tobacco (tambakhu) and betel leaves (vidyachi pane) are among the drugs and narcotics grown in the district. Chilies, turmeric, coriander, and garlic are the most often farmed condiments and spices in the district.

According to a 2018 study by Pondicherry University, the Mannervarlu community (earlier known as Munnurvarlu) is mainly found in the districts of Nanded, Dharashiv, Latur, and Hingoli, which lie along the Maharashtra–Telangana border. The term Munnurvarlu comes from Telugu, where munnur means ‘three hundred’ and kapu means ‘to do agriculture’, referring to a ‘community of three hundred people engaged in farming’.

Before states were reorganised on linguistic lines, the community often migrated in search of agricultural work along the border areas. As a result, the Mannervarlu are widely considered to have Telugu roots, although some accounts suggest they may have originated in southern parts of Nanded. Historically, they were associated with the armies of the Kings of Thanjavur and the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Once agriculturists who would migrate from place to place, the Mannervarlu have now settled into agriculture as farm labourers, tenant farmers, and smallholders. In addition to cultivating various crops, they also gather medicinal plants from nearby forests for sale. Their farming practices continue to reflect a mix of cultural tradition and adaptation to changing economic conditions.

The Maria and Madia communities are also present in Nanded and continue to use traditional farming techniques that place importance on local biodiversity and sustainability.

In Nanded, one of the most significant festivals related to agriculture is the Malegaon Yatra, which is held in honor of Khandoba. This vibrant festival takes place annually in the village of Malegaon, typically during the month of Margashirsha (November-December), specifically on the day of Margashirsh Vadya Chaturdashi. The festival features exciting horse shows and dog competitions, drawing attention from both locals and tourists. These events highlight the agricultural lifestyle of the region, where horses have historically been an integral part of farming practices. The Yatra includes a variety of cultural performances such as dramas, folk dances, and music, which celebrate local traditions and agricultural life. These performances often depict stories related to farming, harvests, and the community's connection to nature. During the festival, farmers display their fresh products at local markets built up around the Mandir. This not only allows farmers to sell their products but also promotes community relationships through common farming methods.

The Malegaon Yatra provides a significant opportunity for farmers to engage with one another and share knowledge about agricultural methods. It also strengthens the cultural identity of Nanded's farming community by incorporating faith into their daily life. The festival promotes togetherness among participants while also honoring the hard work and dedication of farmers throughout the year.

On the last day of Sravan, when the bull’s labor in the field has been completed, the Kunbi husbandmen mark their bullocks’ brows with red, put red cotton threads around their neck or horns, and feed them on select grains and food. This festival is popularly known as Bail Pola or Pola and is widely celebrated in almost every part of the state.

Dhawara is a cherished tradition in the local farming culture, marking the celebration of a successful harvest with a sacred meal. The preparations for Dhawara begin on the new moon of Diwali, a day dedicated to worshiping the Pandavas, the five legendary brothers from the Mahabharata. In the fields, five small stones are selected and painted with Chuna (limewash), symbolizing the Pandavas.

As part of the ritual, wheat flour dough is shaped into various forms, such as plain balls, fruits, and lamps, before being steamed. These, along with dried dates, dry coconut, Ambil (a tangy buttermilk preparation infused with chilies and coriander), Kadhi (a tempered chickpea-buttermilk curry), and Wadya (steamed gram flour cakes), are offered as Naivedya (a devotional offering). A Morva (medium-sized earthen pot) and Shendur (a sacred red powder) are also placed near the symbolic Pandavas.

In keeping with tradition, five stacks of Jowar Pachundas (bundles of harvested sorghum) are arranged upright before the stones. A lamp is then placed inside the Morva and lit as a mark of reverence. At dusk, the Morva is carefully buried near the painted stones, symbolizing the completion of the Dhawara ritual and expressing gratitude for the harvest.

A puja similar to Dhawara is performed during Yel Amavasya (the new moon night that falls in January). The Yel Amavasya puja is still a common and notable festival related to farming in the Ashmak region, which comprises areas of present-day Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Nanded is well-known for its banana, with banana farming spanning around 14,000 hectares. Banana production is culturally significant in Nanded. It is frequently connected with local festivals and community gatherings, where bananas play an important role in traditional meals and celebrations. This predominance is due to several causes, including favorable meteorological conditions, appropriate soil types, and excellent farming strategies used by local farmers. Nanded farmers rely heavily on banana agriculture for economic reasons. The implementation of export-oriented procedures has increased profitability. With the lifting of shutdown restrictions in 2020, growers began exporting bananas to Gulf countries such as Oman and Dubai, garnering higher prices. This transition not only boosts farmers' incomes but also pushes them to extend their crop areas and raise quality standards.

The climate of Nanded is ideal for banana farming, with warm temperatures and ample rainfall. Bananas grow in tropical climates, requiring temperatures ranging from 15°C to 35°C and considerable humidity. The region's normal annual rainfall of approximately 650-750 mm during the monsoon season promotes rapid vegetative growth, making it excellent for banana production. Nanded's soil is generally deep, rich, and loamy, ideal for banana farming. This type of soil provides adequate drainage and keeps moisture properly, which is necessary for the healthy growth of banana plants.

Nanded is well-known for producing delicious lime (mosambi), in addition to bananas. The climate and soil conditions in the region are ideal for growing this citrus fruit, which thrives in situations similar to bananas. Sweet lime is not only a beloved local fruit, but it also helps to diversify the region's agricultural production.

Drip irrigation is becoming more popular among Nanded farmers as a way to save water and increase agricultural production. This method feeds water directly to plant roots via a network of tubes, reducing evaporation and runoff. Given the region's water scarcity concerns, drip irrigation enables farmers to optimize water usage while guaranteeing appropriate moisture for their crops. Farmers are using soil testing tools to measure nutrient levels and pH balance, allowing them to make more educated fertilization decisions. This approach improves soil fertility and crop output while decreasing the excessive use of artificial fertilizers. Organizations such as NABARD promote soil health projects that educate farmers about sustainable practices.

Marathwada is one of the most drought-prone regions of India, and the increasing severity of droughts and their adverse impacts on socioeconomic conditions in the region have been of major concern in recent years. The majority of the area of Marathwada is under rain-fed agriculture, and the summer monsoon rainfall is crucial for agricultural production in the region. There has been a decline in jowar, urad (black gram), crops that require less water, in the Nanded district. These changes also come at a time when the district is facing decreasing rainfall trends.

Nanded has an average developed agricultural infrastructure, which includes 19 Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), 237 godowns, 5 cold storages, 2 soil testing centers, 750 farmers clubs, 105 plantation nurseries, and approximately 3100 fertilizer, seed, and pesticide outlets. There are two Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) supporting agricultural extension services in the region. In addition to this, there are 23 commercial banks, 1 Regional rural bank and District Central Cooperative bank, 63 branches of Maharashtra Gramin Bank, 04 non-scheduled cooperative banks, 03 small finance banks with 08 branches in the district, and 903 Primary Agricultural. Cooperative Societies.

There are 19 APMCs in the district; the district’s main products are turmeric and bananas. Some of the other important commodities are: wheat(husked), rice, cotton, soybean, and turmeric.

In 2023, Marathwada experienced a rainfall deficit of 20.7%, with the Nanded district alone reporting around 110 farmer suicides. By 2024, this number had risen to 138, reflecting the deepening agrarian crisis. The primary reasons behind these tragic incidents are believed to be farm infertility, natural calamities such as constant floods in monsoon and scarcity of water in summer, and mounting debt. These challenges have pushed farmers to the brink, making survival increasingly difficult. Financial hardships have left many families struggling. Despite the severity of the crisis, the government's response has been widely criticized as indifferent, leaving affected communities feeling abandoned and unheard.