NANDURBAR

Nandurbar’s economy is primarily agriculture-based, with a majority of the population engaged in farming, animal husbandry, and small-scale industries. According to the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2023, more than 70% of Nandurbar’s workforce is involved in agriculture, cultivating crops such as jowar, bajra, cotton, soybean, and pulses.

The district has a significant tribal population, particularly from the Bhil and Pawara communities, who engage in forest-based activities such as tendu leaf collection, honey gathering, and bamboo harvesting. Additionally, dairy farming, fishing, and weaving provide supplementary incomes.

Apart from agriculture, brick kilns, construction work, and small textile units offer employment to both skilled and unskilled laborers. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has been promoting handloom weaving and agro-based processing units to strengthen the local economy.

Employment opportunities in Nandurbar vary with seasonal agricultural cycles. The kharif season (June to October) sees high labor demand for sowing and harvesting of cotton, bajra, and pulses. However, during the rabi season (November to March), when farming activity declines, many landless laborers seek alternative employment.

As per the Maharashtra State Migration Report (2022), seasonal migration is a widespread phenomenon in Nandurbar. Large numbers of tribal workers migrate to sugarcane farms in Western Maharashtra for cutting and processing work, while others seek employment in brick kilns, construction sites, and factories in Mumbai, Pune, and Surat.

Efforts by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have provided some rural employment opportunities, especially in soil conservation, road construction, and water harvesting projects. However, low daily wages and irregular payments continue to push workers towards interstate migration.

Women in Nandurbar contribute significantly to agriculture, dairy farming, and handicrafts, yet they face wage disparities and informal working conditions. According to a Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) report 2023, women farm laborers earn lower wages than men despite doing intensive work such as sowing, weeding, and harvesting.

Women are also engaged in beedi rolling, tendu leaf collection, and textile production. Many participate in self-help groups (SHGs) under the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission 2023, which promotes micro-businesses in dairy farming, tailoring, and food processing.

Government initiatives such as Sakhi Niwas hostels and Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal provide financial aid and skill training for women to enhance self-employment opportunities. Additionally, the Ministry of Women & Child Development has set up one-stop crisis centers to assist women facing workplace exploitation.

Labor unions in Nandurbar mainly represent tribal farmworkers, construction laborers, and bidi workers. The Maharashtra Agricultural Workers' Union has been advocating for better wages, access to government welfare schemes, and implementation of the Forest Rights Act for tribal communities.

The Construction Workers’ Federation of India has been actively working to provide social security benefits and health insurance for workers in urban construction and infrastructure projects. Despite these efforts, unionization remains low among seasonal migrant workers, who often face exploitative conditions and wage theft while working outside the district.

Nandurbar has limited technical education facilities, but efforts are being made to enhance vocational training. The district houses:

• Government Polytechnic Nandurbar, which offers diplomas in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
• Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Shahada and Akkalkuwa provide courses in welding, electrical repairs, and automobile mechanics.
• Dr. Homi Bhabha ITI for Women, which focuses on tailoring, beautician courses, and computer literacy programs.

The Directorate of Vocational Education and Training is working to expand skill training in agri-business, textile technology, and entrepreneurship, especially for youth from tribal communities.