The state of Maharashtra paints a paradoxical picture-on the one hand its capital, Mumbai is known as the commercial capital of India, boasting of the highest number of millionaires and billionaires in the country. On the other hand, it is also home to Vidarbha-a region that reports the highest numbers of farmer suicide rates in the state.
According to a report in the Times of India, Vidarbha reported 917 farmer suicides till the end of August in 2016. Tough economic conditions arising due to unseasonal rains, yielding poor output of traditional cash crops, such as rice and cotton, and low agricultural prices have nothelped. A 2015 study revealed that farmers in Vidarbha were committing suicide for debts as little as Rs. 10,000.
The Government of Maharashtra has set a target of doubling farm income by 2022 through a string of measures, according to Live Mint.
During the ‘Make in India Conclave’ last year, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan
With better agricultural practices and end-to-end ecosystem of cultivation, pulping, processing and packaging, ‘Orange Unnati’ is a small step offering hope to these farmers for a better tomorrow.
COCA-COLA ON SOCIAL