In a bid to tackle drought and water scarcity as a result of climate change, the Maharashtra cabinet on Wednesday allotted Rs. 1.5 crore from the Emergency Fund to create 23 special posts to implement a project on climate-resilient agriculture.
The project, which will be supported by the World Bank, aims at studying crop patterns and types as per climate change, which will help the State government tackle challenges faced by the farm sector.
According to the government, the growth rate of agriculture is on the decline as a result of severe drought, heavy rains and water scarcity, thereby decreasing agricultural production and profit. The government has observed that such a situation is ultimately responsible for the rising number of farmers’ suicides.
The project aims at suggesting changes in crop patterns and promoting extensions to agri businesses. “This will help farmers to not lose patience in adverse times and to ensure that they reclaim their original condition,” said a government official. The official added that the project would get financial aid from the World Bank and has received approval from the central government. The project management cell will be set up in Mumbai and will be responsible for creating a detailed project report, implementation plan and its functioning.
