Factors Affecting the Agrarian Distress Proneness in Vidarbha
The present study was carried out in Akola, Buldana, Amravati, Washim, Yavatmal and Wardha districts of Vidarbha in Maharashtra during 2012-2013. An exploratory design of social research was used. In total 240 farmers (120 farmers having land bellow 2 ha (Marginal to Small) + 120 farmers having land above 2 ha. (Semi-medium to Large farmers) were selected by random sampling method; it covers 24 villages and 9 Tahsils of six districts of Vidarbha. The main objective of this study was to study the agrarian distress proneness level amongst the selected farmers in Vidarbha. The composite index of agrarian distress of selected respondents was obtained with the help of Composite Index of selected 16 factors. The composite index were analysed by using the method of Prem Narain, et.al (2011). The salient findings revealed that near about cent percent (98.58%) selected farmers were having high composite index of agrarian distress. The non-remunerative prices (having Mean Severity Score 4 out of 3), weather related uncertainties (MSS=3.99), fluctuation in market rates (MSS=3.95), rise in cost of inputs (MSS=3.92), lack of irrigation facilities (MSS=3.87), lack of accurate weather information (MSS=3.66), crops damages by wild animals (MSS=3.46), etc. were the severely affecting factors for agrarian distress in selected six districts of Vidarbha. Hence Central and State government should take care of all mentioned factors for reducing the agrarian distress.
