Authors : Chetana V. Donglikar J.J.Kshirsagar and R.G. Machale
Page Nos : 168-172
Description :
Water resources management is one of the most important challenges the world faces. We are drinking, irrigating, and using water faster than precipitation can replenish groundwater. Demand for water resources of sufficient quantity and quality for human consumption, sanitation, agricultural irrigation, and manufacturing will continue to intensify as populations increase and as global urbanization, industrialization, and commercial development accelerates. In last few years, climate change is a major challenge for agriculture, food security and rural livelihoods especially in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Marathwada is facing worst years of droughts in last three years. Agriculture is the sector most vulnerable to climate change. The dry areas like Marathwada are also challenged by rapid population growth, frequent droughts, high climatic variability, land degradation and desertification, and widespread poverty. Food insecurity, poverty, and poor access to natural resources also manifest themselves in conflicts which have been concentrated in regions heavily dependent on agriculture. In Beed district of Marathwada region 24.47% people are dependent on agriculture. Climate issues has gone up with shortage of drinking water supply and electricity, frequent droughts, failing crops and suicide of farmers, unemployment, corruption and increasing crimes. Crop pattern is as follows: wheat 961 Kg, Jowari 723 kg. Bajri 838 kg. Cereals –Harbara(Chana) 403 kg, tur 381 kg, Ground nut 789 kg. Cotton(L.T.) 552 kg, and all these are less when compared to the state production and proportion therefore keeping behind regional disparities in concern to Beed district’s economic, agricultural, social, industrial and human resource development in present scenario, which indicates major concern
Key Words: Food Security, Drought in Marathwada, Climate Cange and Food Security
