In September-October 2018 MAKAAM Maharashtra conducted a survey on the situation of 505 women farmers from farm suicide affected households of 11 districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra. Officially 14 districts of the state are considered as farm suicide affected districts.
The survey focused on the implementation of 7 schemes/GRs of the Maharashtra government which have direct impacts on women from farm suicide households. Compensation or ex gratia payments, Pension, Education, Ration, Health and transfer of land titles. We are following up with some of the findings gained from here with smaller studies and case stories.
About 20 organisations from across these 2 regions and associated with MAKAAM did the data collection entirely on a voluntary basis. SOPPECOM and Sathi (health group based in Pune) supported through a consultative process for designing the study, data entry, analysis and putting it together into a report.
Download the report here in English and Marathi.
Apart from the survey about 15 case stories were done and they are put together in the booklet titled Wanwa (Fire in Marathi)
Download the booklet in English and Marathi.
The report and the case stories were used as advocacy tools for highlighting the concerns of women farmers from farm suicide affected households. We have been pressing for a comprehensive policy for women farmers that includes provisioning of basic social security measures and support for agriculture and related activities. To that effect, MAKAAM Maharashtra organised a successful symbolic protest at Azad Maidan on 21 November during the Maharashtra assembly winter session.
