While the government talks about doubling farmers' income and promoting modern agriculture, the reality in many parts of Maharashtra tells a different story. A shocking incident from Hadolti village in Latur district has highlighted the ongoing crisis in the farming community.
As per the report by ABP Majha, Ambadas Govind Pawar, a 65-year-old farmer, has been tying himself to the plow instead of a bullock in his field. He owns two and a half acres of dry land. Unable to afford a bullock or a tractor, he has no choice but to do the hard work himself. His 60-year-old wife helps him in the fields. This has been their routine for the last seven to eight years.
No Money For Bullocks Or Tractor
Ambadas says he cannot pay the daily rent of ₹2,500 for bullocks or the higher cost of hiring a tractor. The cost of seeds, fertilizers, and labor has also gone up. With no help, he and his wife take on all the farming work themselves. His body is now tired, and his limbs are weak, but he continues working to support his family.
His son works in Pune and earns a small income. His daughter is married, and his daughter-in-law lives in the village with two young grandsons. Ambadas is struggling to make ends meet and educate his grandchildren.
This heartbreaking image of a farmer pulling a plow like an animal shows the painful reality of rural Maharashtra. Rising input costs, falling prices for crops, and unpredictable weather have broken the backbone of small farmers. Despite many government schemes, farmers like Ambadas are still left behind.
