Soil Sakhis: Women Agronomists Aiding Maharashtra Farmers
Why in the news
A women-led soil-testing programme in drought-hit Maharashtra is improving harvests, lowering emissions and giving rural women incomes.
Key facts
- Launched: 2023, by the Mann Deshi Foundation.
- Who: trained marginalised women, called community agronomists, who ride two-wheelers between villages.
- Reach: 2,394 farmers in 9 drought-prone talukas.
- Emissions cut: 988.37 tonnes of CO2e from using less chemical fertiliser.
- Yield gain: up to 40%, for example in mango orchards.
- Income: ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 a month for each Sakhi.
| Impact area | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Farmers served | 2,394 across 9 talukas |
| Climate | 988.37 tonnes CO2e avoided |
| Farm output | Up to 40% higher yields |
| Women’s earnings | ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 per month |
How it works
- Quick soil reports tell farmers exactly what the soil lacks, ending blind use of fertilisers; this saves money, improves soil organic carbon and trims the farm’s carbon footprint.
- In Satara, mango saplings were dying because of high limestone; after testing, farmers moved to organic methods and leaf testing and saved the orchards.
- Soil Sakhis also teach farmers to make bio-inputs, natural fertilisers or pesticides made on-farm from organic waste.
Significance
- Links gender, climate change and rural livelihoods.
- Testing matters most where water is scarce, as in Satara and Solapur, because poor or imbalanced soil wastes the little water available.
- Women such as Sheetal Kale are now seen as experts who guide family decisions on crops.
Exam angle
- Implementing body: Mann Deshi Foundation, since 2023.
- Region: drought-prone Western Maharashtra.
- Terms: community agronomist, bio-inputs, soil organic carbon.