NANDED

Nanded’s workforce is primarily engaged in agriculture, agro-based industries, trade, and services. According to the Maharashtra Economic Survey of 2023, a significant portion of the population depends on farming, with crops such as cotton, soybean, wheat, sugarcane, and pulses playing a major role in the local economy. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has reported that sugar mills, oil extraction units, and textile processing plants provide additional employment, particularly in rural areas.

Urban employment opportunities are concentrated in education, healthcare, wholesale trade, transport, and retail businesses. As per the Nanded District Tourism Development Report of 2021, the presence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurdwara attracts religious tourism, supporting jobs in hospitality, transport, and small businesses. Additionally, the Skill India Mission in 2022 identified a growing service sector, including financial services, e-commerce, and digital marketing, as a new area of employment.

Employment in Nanded follows agricultural cycles and climatic conditions, leading to seasonal variations in work availability. The Maharashtra State Agriculture Department in 2023 noted that the kharif season (June to October)creates demand for sowing and harvesting crops like soybean and cotton, while the rabi season (October to March)shifts focus to wheat and sugarcane farming. The Agricultural Census of India in 2021 found that sugarcane cutting remains a major seasonal occupation, requiring migrant laborers to travel to other districts during peak harvest.

Many agricultural workers also take up off-season jobs in construction, brick kilns, and urban labor markets. The International Labour Organization (ILO) reported in 2021 that erratic weather patterns and droughts have intensified migration patterns, forcing many laborers to seek work in larger cities and industrial hubs.

Women in Nanded contribute significantly to agriculture, self-employment, and small-scale industries, yet social and economic barriers limit their participation in formal jobs. The Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) in 2022 highlighted that many women engage in beedi rolling, tailoring, dairy farming, and food processing, while others work in education, healthcare, and retail.

To address gender disparities, the MSRLM’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been instrumental in providing financial assistance and vocational training. The Government of Maharashtra has introduced initiatives aimed at improving employment conditions for women, including skill-building programs and credit support for women entrepreneurs. A study by the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in 2021 found that these programs have helped many women transition into financially independent roles in both rural and urban settings.

Urban working women face challenges related to safety, childcare, and housing, leading to the establishment of Sakhi Niwas hostels, which provide affordable and secure accommodation for migrant women workers. The Ministry of Women & Child Development reported in 2023 that increasing access to such support structures has improved women's workforce participation. The Centre for Gender Studies, in its 2023 study, suggested that integrating childcare services and workplace safety measures could further enhance women's employment rates.

Nanded has several active labor unions, particularly in sugar mills, textiles, and transport services. The Trade Union Directory of Maharashtra in 2023 reported that sugarcane workers' unions negotiate for fair wages and improved working conditions, while trade unions in textile and small-scale industries advocate for better job security and wage standardization.

Despite union efforts, the informal sector remains largely unorganized, with many workers in beedi rolling, construction, and domestic work lacking access to social security benefits. The ILO Informal Workers Report in 2021 emphasized that unions have struggled to organize workers in these sectors due to lack of awareness and legal protections. However, new labor movements have emerged to support gig workers, delivery personnel, and platform-based workers, advocating for minimum wage guarantees and social protection measures.

Nanded has several institutions focused on technical and vocational training, aiming to equip youth with industry-relevant skills. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in 2023 reported that:

• Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University (SRTMUN) offers degrees in engineering, management, and agriculture, with a focus on industry partnerships and research initiatives.
• Government Polytechnic, Nanded, provides diplomas in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, catering to local industry demands.
• Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Nanded train students in automotive repair, plumbing, welding, and electrical work, which are in high demand in the manufacturing sector.
• Nanded Pharmacy College focuses on pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare, a sector that has seen steady employment growth.