The challenges
Chandrapur is located in the eastern edge of Maharashtra in the Vidharbha region. The predominantly tribal area had to contend with issues such as uneven rainfall, poor infrastructure, few irrigation facilities, traditional farming methods, high cost of cultivation and low yield, along with injudicious use of nitrogenous fertilisers and chemical pesticides, resulting in loss of soil fertility. The ‘Dedi’ System meant farmers were in the control of moneylenders, and there was an absolute dependency on middlemen. Because of that, the farmers were not able to reap any profits.
There is also an alarming high rate of MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) and IMR (Infant Mortality Rate), as these tribal villages remain isolated, have poor health facilities and lack of knowledge about better health.
