1.

1 Problem Definition:
At least six to seven farmers have been committing suicides every day, on average, for a
straight twelve years (2004-15) in a rich state of Maharashtra. Both central and state
government distributed around Rs. 60,000 crores within the same twelve. So despite of such
huge packages government couldnt able to stop the suicides. From management point of
view, it can be one of the worst cases of the world. With respect to same, I could find
following drawbacks during investigation of the issue:

From management point of view:

1. Policy planning and execution in a non integrated approach,
2. Absence of a dedicated manpower on the concerned issue,
3. Wrong distribution of authority,

From policy point of view:

1. Misdirected policy formulation on minimum support price,
2. Controversial green revolution policy,
3. Subsidy provision for sugar factory establishment,
4. Absence of organic farming policy,

1.1.1 Goal: To assist policy making and implementing authorities for solution part of the
farmers suicide issue in Maharashtra.

1.1.2 Objective:
1. To propose a framework for integrated planning and execution,
2. To propose the areas followed system structures of immediate reformation,
3. To suggest remedies for betterment farmers future,

1.1.3 Scope: various analysis shows that, the coming decade will be of health revolution
where farming and its value addition will be of great importance. It would be a major segment
for livelihood opportunity. If government plans to divert depressed farmers mindset w.r.t
rising opportunity of future then project management has great scope for bringing Excellency
in the most complicated subject like farming. Various tools and techniques of project
management can play a great role.
2

Chapter 2: Literature review:

2.1 Introduction of Project management:
Project management has grown in response to the need for a managerial approach that deals
with the problems and opportunities of modern society. It is a departure from the management
of simpler ongoing, repetitive operations where the market and technology tend to be
predictable, anticipated outcomes are more certain, and only one or a few parties or
organizations are involved. When situations requires adaptability and rapid response to
change, then project management form of organization and management works much better.

It

provides

diversified

technical

and

managerial

competency

and

decentralized

communication and decision making necessary to meet the challenges of complex,

unfamiliar, high-stakes activities. It is the process and activity of planning, organizing,
motivating, and controlling resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals in
scientific or daily problems.

Project management is a systems approach to management. A project is a system of

interrelated components-work tasks, resources, stakeholders, as well as schedules, budgets,
and plans. The purpose of project management is to integrate the components to accomplish
the project goal.

The primary challenge of project management is to achieve all of the project goals and
objectives while honoring the preconceived constraints. The primary constraints are scope,
time, quality and budget. The secondary and more ambitious challenge is to optimize
the allocation of necessary inputs and integrate them to meet pre-defined objectives.

2.2 Relevance of project management at International level:

Since the 90th many International Organizations undertook extensive reforms in the field of
project management in response to economic, social and political pressures and calls for
accountability of such organizations to development agencies. A central feature of these
reforms was a switch from an activity focused approach to result based management. As a
3

result most of the International Organizations reformed their project management systems and
became more effective and results-oriented.

The Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development defined the Result Based
Management as a management strategy focused on performance and achievement of outputs,
outcomes and inputs. In other words, RBM is a broad management strategy aimed at
changing the way agencies operate, with improving performance (achieving results) as the
central orientation.

Key elements of RBM include identification of clear expected results; selection of indicators
to measure progress toward results; setting up explicit targets for each indicator; analysis of
assumptions and risks; development of performance monitoring systems; revision, analysis,
and reporting on results; use of evaluations for additional analysis of performance; and use of
performance information for internal management, accountability, learning, and decisionmaking processes.

United Nations Environment Programme explains the project cycle in terms of five phases as
described below, the distinction among the phases are often unclear in practice, especially
between identification and preparation, plus their relative importance varies greatly,
depending on the character, scale and history of the project.

1. Project identification starts from an understanding of the United Nations Environment

Programme mandate and objectives. This phase includes the situation analysis, which
enhances understanding of the likely causes and linkages between existing problems
and which actions are necessary to remedy these problems. The project concept
proposal is drafted that lays out preliminary ideas, objectives, results, strategies,
outputs and activities.

2. Project preparation and formulation begins with the preparation of a feasibility study
with the purpose of providing stakeholders with the basis for decision-making process
regarding the project. Once the feasibility study has taken place and implementation
activities are agreed upon, the concept proposal is transformed into a project
document which includes a summary of the situation assessment, justification of
methodology and strategies for achieving the targeted changes. In addition, the
establishment of baseline and target data for developing indicators for measuring
4

outputs and results is foreseen with the assistance of the logical framework. In project
implementation planning the success depends on the quality of project planning before
the project begins.

To this end the checklist was designed to assess the feasibility of projects and the
readiness of project managers to undertake projects. The checklist serves as a
reference guide for effective and efficient project implementation to project managers.

3. Project review and approval mechanism includes set up of inter-divisional and project
approval group. This mechanism aims to improve quality of proposals, to promote
knowledge-sharing among colleagues by sharing best practices and substantive and
technical knowledge, and to enhance inter-divisional dialogue and collaboration in
project implementation. During discussions the following criteria are taken into
account: how the proposals contribute to the UNEP mandate and strategic objectives;
whether results identified are realistic, achievable and sustainable; the capacity of
implementing partners to undertake the project; the extent to which the project
incorporates and builds on previous experience and lessons learned; risk assessment in
full project implementation,

4. Project Implementation consists of monitoring, risk assessment and management of

activities. Project managers monitor expenditures, activities, output completion and
workflows against their implementation plans, output delivery and progress made
towards achieving the results and objectives according to their anticipated milestones
or benchmarks. Monitoring is an internal process that looks at both programmatic and
financial processes and makes changes in assumptions and risks associated with target
groups. Managing risks by recognizing and preparing for a range of possible future
outcomes is an integral part of project management, which is regularly updated and
refined with the assistance of a risk management plan.

5. Project evaluation is a time-bound exercise that attempts to assess the relevance,

performance and success of current or completed projects, systematically and
objectively. Evaluation determines to what extent the intervention has been successful
in terms of its impact, effectiveness, sustainability of results, and contribution to
capacity development.

International Labour Organization has also adopted the Result Based Management in the
planning and management of its resources and activities, including technical cooperation, in
order to improve performance, efficiency and accountability. The RBM approach starts by
defining outcomes to be achieved and then implements, reports and evaluates against the
intended results, using the logical framework.

The project cycle comprises distinct but inter-related phases:

1. Design includes the initial identification of a problem or project idea, the analysis and
formulation of the project, and the preparation of a tentative implementation plan. It
results in the preparation of a project document.
2. Appraisal is the analytical review of project design and formulation. It ensures that
projects are of a high design and technical standard and are consistent with ILOs
objectives and priorities. Specific criteria for appraisal were set out in the appraisal
checklist because appraisal is the basis for the approval of projects.
3. Approval is the official endorsement of the proposal and it starts with the submission
of an appraised project to a donor for funding. When the funding is secured, the
project is officially approved.
4. Implementation and Monitoring begins once the key responsibilities of parties
involved are assigned, the project manager is appointed, and management
arrangements are confirmed. Implementation starts with revision of the project design
and work plan, it also includes the preparation of the monitoring and evaluation plan,
and execution of project activities.
5. Monitoring is an important management function that takes place during
implementation to ensure that the project is on track, and the necessary corrective
measures are taken on time.
6. Completion and financial closure is the final phase of the implementation of the
project whereas activities are completed, achievements are documented, the project
personnels contracts are terminated, physical assets disposed of, and accounts are
closed.
7. Evaluation is the systematic and objective assessment of an ongoing or completed
project. It assesses the relevance and strategic fit of a project, the validity of its design,
project progress and effectiveness, efficiency of resource use, effectiveness of
management arrangements, and impact orientation and sustainability of a project.

For development agencies the basic purpose of the RBM systems is to generate and use
performance information for accountability reporting to external stakeholders, internal
management learning and decision-making.

In most development agencies the following processes and phases are included in RBM:

1. Formulating objectives phase identifies clear and measurable results and develops a
conceptual framework on how the results will be achieved.

2. Identifying indicators phase specifies what is to be measured along a scale or

dimension for each objective.
3. Setting targets phase identifies the expected or planned levels of results to be achieved
by specific date in order to be used in performance measurement for each indicator.
4. Monitoring results phase develops performance monitoring systems to regularly
collect data on actual results achieved. Reviewing and reporting results phase
compares actual results vis--vis the targets.
5. Integrating evaluation conducts evaluations to provide complementary information on
performance from various sources (internal and external). Using performance
information process takes into account performance monitoring and evaluation
sources of internal management learning, decision-making and external reporting to
be presented to stakeholders on results achieved. Such information contributes to
development of new policies and procedures and leads to organizational reforms.

Within the United Nations organizations system the Results based budgeting concept seen as
a programme budget process which involves programme formulation with a set of predefined
objectives and expected results. In order to achieve the expected results they should be
derived from and linked to the outputs and necessary resources needs to be allocated to this
end. In addition, the actual performance in achieving results is measured by objective
performance indicators.

RBB serves as a tool to enhance accountability with improved performance assessment and a
more responsive system of management authority and responsibility. It also contributes to
adjustments of information systems and enhancement of staff knowledge and skills.
7

Development agencies consider that RBB involves the estimation of budget requirements
necessary to achieve specific planned results. Traditionally budgets were linked to inputs or
activities, however, with the introduction of RBB, budgets required to be linked to results
leading to changes in financial accounting practices and coding systems.

2.3 Past performance analysis report by IGIDR, Mumbai:

The Government of Maharashtra, concerned about the highest total number of farmer suicides
among its rural populations, commissioned its own study into reasons. At its behest, Indira
Gandhi Institute of Development Research in Mumbai did field research and found the top
causes of farmers suicides to be: debt, low income and crop failure, family issues such as
illness and inability to pay celebration expenses for daughter's marriage, lack of secondary
income occupations and lack of value-added opportunities.
India is an agrarian country with around 60% of its people depending directly or indirectly
upon agriculture. Farmer suicides account for 11.2% of all suicides in India. Activists and
scholars have offered a number of conflicting reasons for farmer suicides, such as monsoon
failure, high debt burdens, government policies, public mental health, personal issues and
family problems.
Various reasons have been offered to explain why farmers commit suicide in India, including:
drought, debt, use of genetically modified seed, public health and government economic
policies. There is no consensus on what the main causes might be but studies show suicide
victims are motivated by more than one cause, on average three or more causes for
committing suicide. Panagariya states, "farm-related reasons get cited only approximately 25
percent of the time as reasons for suicide", and, "studies do consistently show greater debt
burden and greater reliance on informal sources of credit" amongst farmers who commit
suicide.
A study conducted in 2014 found that there are three specific characteristics associated with
high risk farmers: "those that grow cash crops such as coffee and cotton; those with
marginal farms of less than one hectare; and those with debts of 300 Rupees or more." The
study also found that the Indian states in which these three characteristics are most common
had the highest suicide rates and also accounted for "almost 75% of the variability in statelevel suicides."

A 2012 study did a regional survey on farmers suicide in rural Vidarbhas and applied a
Smith's Saliency method to qualitatively rank the expressed causes among farming families
who had lost someone to suicide. The expressed reasons in order of importance behind farmer
suicides were debt, alcohol addiction, environment, low produce prices, stress and family
responsibilities, apathy, poor irrigation, increased cost of cultivation, private money lenders,
use of chemical fertilizers and crop failure. In other words debt to stress and family
responsibilities were rated as significantly higher than fertilizers and crop failure. In a
different study in the same region in 2006, indebtedness (87%) and deterioration in the
economic status (74%) were found to be major risk factors for suicide.
Studies dated 2004 through 2006 identified several causes for farmers suicide, such as
insufficient or risky credit systems, the difficulty of farming semi-arid regions, poor
agricultural income, absence of alternative income opportunities, a downturn in the urban
economy which forced non-farmers into farming, and the absence of suitable counseling
services. In 2004, in response to a request from the All India Biodynamic and Organic
Farming Association, the Mumbai High Court required the Tata Institute to produce a report
on farmer suicides in Maharashtra, and the institute submitted its report in March 2005. The
survey cited "government apathy, the absence of a safety net for farmers, and lack of access
to information related to agriculture as the chief causes for the desperate condition of farmers
in the state." An Indian study conducted in 2002 indicated an association between victims
engaging in entrepreneurial activities (such as venturing into new crops, cash crops, and
following market trends) and their failure in meeting expected goals due a range of
constraints.
As much as 80% of India's farmland relies on flooding during monsoon season, so inadequate
rainfall can cause droughts, making crop failure more common. In regions that have
experienced droughts, crop yields have declined, and food for cattle has become scarcer.
Agricultural regions that have been affected by droughts have subsequently seen their suicide
rates increase.
Farmers have been killing themselves in years when the crop has been excellent. And in
seasons when it has failed. They have taken their own lives in large numbers in very different
years. When it rains they lose out, when it doesnt, they lose out worse. There have been
awful suicide numbers in some good monsoon years. And so too, in years of drought, which
can make things more terrible.
The suicides occurred overwhelmingly amongst cash crop farmers. Growers of cotton, sugar
cane, groundnut, vanilla, coffee, pepper and others. Far fewer suicides occur amongst growers
9

of paddy or wheat. Can we argue that drought kills cash crop farmers but not those cultivating
food crops?
The monsoon does have a very real impact on agriculture. But it is by no means the main
reason for the farm suicides. And with the bulk of those suicides occurring amongst cash crop
farmers, the issues of debt, hyper-commercialization, exploding input costs, water-use
patterns, and severe price shocks and price volatility, come much more to the fore. All factors
majorly driven by state policies.
Against the background of these factors, you can be sure that if a drought really unfolds this
year, theyre in very big trouble. And we will know very shortly. July is the main month of the
monsoon. It normally accounts for over 50 per cent of the rains, thus equalling the importance
of the other three months of June, August and September combined.

2.4 Effectiveness of Governments response:

It has been concluded by respective, the government's response and relief packages have
generally been ineffective, misdirected and flawed. It has focused on credit and loan, rather
than income, productivity and farmer prosperity. Assistance in paying off outstanding
principal and interest helps the money lenders, but has failed to create reliable and good
sources of income for the farmer going forward.
The usurious moneylenders continue to offer loans at interest rates between 24 to 50 percent,
while income generating potential of the land the farmer works on has remained low and
subject to weather conditions. Various reports states that the government has failed to
understand that debt relief just postpones the problem and a more lasting answer to farmer
distress can only come from reliable income sources, higher crop yields per hectare, irrigation
and other infrastructure security. P. Manohar, in a private talk, acknowledged the positive role
of crop diversification initiative announced in government's response to reports of farmer
suicides.
P. Manohar in a discussion added, "Indian agriculture still suffers from: i) poor productivity,
ii) falling water levels, iii) expensive credit, iv) a distorted market, v) many middlemen and
intermediaries who increase cost but do not add much value, vi) laws that stifle private
investment, vii) controlled prices, viii) poor infrastructure, and ix) inappropriate research.
Thus the approach with mere emphasis on credit in isolation from the above factors will not
help agriculture.
10

2.5 Study of Agricultural Indebtedness by Expert Group:

According to the study Agricultural indebtedness is not the main cause of farmers suicides
but stagnation in agriculture, marketing risks, collapse of extension system, growing
institutional vacuum and lack of livelihood opportunities are the primary causes. According to
the Report the decline in returns from agriculture has resulted in inability of farmers torepay
debt and this has triggered Farmers suicide.

2.6 Conclusion from Dr. M.S. Swaminathan report:

If we analyze the suicides by farmers in Maharashtra it is revealed that it is higher in
Vidharbh region of the State where farmers preferred cultivation of "white gold" i.e. cotton - a
risky venture that suffered due to non-availability of quality seeds coupled with the farmers or
incapacity to buy costly Bt. cotton seeds. They could also not get remunerative price for their
produce.
According to Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, although 60% people in India depend on agriculture and
Agriculture Sector contributes 25% of National Income over the period investment and
production in agriculture has declined. In developed world the percentage of dependence of
population on agriculture is much less e.g. in USA it is only 2% and income from agriculture
is just 4%.

There are related issues of quality for export and competition in global market. The answer to
the question as to why the farmers are committing suicides? lies in a combination of factors
such as crop failure, shifting to more profitable but risky (in terms of output, quality and
prices) cash crops like cotton/ sugarcane/ soya bean, exorbitant rate of interest and other
terms and conditions of loans availed from money lenders, lack of nonfarm opportunities,
unwillingness to adopt to scientific practices, non availability of timely credit from formal
channel, absence of proper climate/ incentive for timely repayment of bank loan, etc. At some
places even though water is available but can't be exploited fully due to insufficient power
supply. Huge expenditure on children's education and sudden demand of money for health
considerations and marriage, etc. in the family are also major contributors for stress in
farming community. Inconsistency of rainfall during monsoon, absence of support
mechanism for marketing of agriculture produce also contributed to uncertainty and financial
risk of the farmers.
11

To commit suicide is not normal but generally occurred for farmers due to fear of pressure of
Moneylenders e.g. if they fail to repay the loan their land will be forcibly taken away. Their
Economic condition in many cases changes to such as extent that the farmers are unable to
face the society. In this situation of loneliness and in absence of any institutional or social
Mechanism to fall back upon, farmers were forced to commit suicide. For farmers to come
out of the stressful situation a system to address the various issues discussed in the earlier
paragraphs have to be evolved through an institutional mechanism with necessary
arrangement for review and follow up. A rehabilitation programme which addresses
repayment of overdue interest, supply of quality inputs for next crop, insurance against
natural calamity, opportunity of supplementary income through nonfarm activities, provision
of forward linkage such as marketing and storage, extension services, etc. has to be devised
and implemented.

According to the study Agricultural indebtedness is not the main cause of farmers suicides
but stagnation in agriculture, marketing risks, collapse of extension system, growing
Institutional vacuum and lack of livelihood opportunities are the primary causes.

2.7 NITI Aayogs analysis on artificial onion crisis:

An analysis by the NITI Aayog on this year's (2015) onion crisis shows traders could have
milked Rs 8,000 crores from consumers in August and September by manipulating prices.
The Aayog recently met the ministries concerned to find a long-term solution to recurring
onion crises. It arrived at the cost of market manipulation on the average monthly
consumption of onions in the country, multiplied by the extra amount consumers paid in these
two months. The rough calculation comes to Rs 8,000 crores, which is the price consumers
were forced to pay to traders and middlemen this year.
Officials from the ministries of agriculture, consumer affairs and commerce, the Indian
Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), Nafed, and the Small Farmers Agri-business
Consortium (SFAC) took part in the meeting. India usually consumes a little over a million
tonnes of onions a month. Retail onion prices had jumped to almost Rs 70 per kg in many
cities in August and September this year, nearly Rs 40 more than the average price a year ago.
The analysis brought out the need for state-intervention in the onion market.
12

The most agencies such as Nafed and SFAC incur on storing onions is Rs 100-200 crores,
miniscule compared to what consumers paid extra in the country's most recent onion crisis. "It
is imperative to use price stabilization instruments to deal with onion crises," the official said.
The government will use an Rs 500 crores price stabilization fund to intervene when onion
and potato prices flare up.
Nine states applied for money from the price stabilization fund this year for intervention over
onions. The Centre bears half the loss incurred by state agencies and the entire expenses of
central agencies in procurement and distribution of onions and potatoes. Between August 16
and 30, onion prices spurted 50 per cent due to a sudden fall in supply to the main wholesale
markets of Nashik. Official figures show the average retail price of onion across the country
was Rs 51 per kg on September 30, almost double the price a year ago. The central
government decided to import 10,000 tonnes of onions and the first batch of 250 tonnes has
already arrived.
Onion prices tend to move up between June and September, as the winter crop is exhausted
before the early summer harvest arrives. This year, a large part of onions harvested in MarchMay was destroyed by rain and hails in February and March. Also unusually dry weather in
Maharashtra and Karnataka delayed early kharif sowing. This created an extended period of
shortage, which was milked by hoarders. India is estimated to have produced 18.92 million
tonnes of onions in 2014-15, almost 478,000 tonnes less than the previous year. NAFED and
SFAC were provided interest-free advances of Rs 7.94 crores and Rs 8.75 crores,
respectively, to buy onions directly from farmers and they bought 8,368.52 tonnes in April at
Rs 19-20 per kg.

2.8 One lakh farmers quit agriculture in last 5 years:

As many as one lakh families of farmers in the state opted out of agriculture, their sole
profession, in the last five years, according to the latest agriculture Census figures. Experts
expressed fears that the trend might continue with the availability of other income sources and
tolerance level of the farmers reaching its peak. The final figures of agricultural land holdings
for 2015-16 will be released later.
According to the agriculture Census of 2010-11, there were 136 lakh agricultural land
holdings in the state. State agriculture and revenue minister Ekanath Khadse said the figure
has now shrunk to 135 lakh. The minister said land acquisition for industrialization; road
widening and creation of new roads have eaten up the agricultural land.
13

As per the agriculture Census of 2005-06, there were 137 lakh farmers' families in
Maharashtra. It means that the number of farmers quitting agricultural activities between
2005-6 and 2010-11 reduced by one lakh. Similarly, another one lakh farmers opted out of
the profession from 2011-12 till today. There are 135 lakh land holding families in the state at
present. As may 90 lakh of them are marginal farmers, who own less than one hectare land.
The fact is alarming as agricultural land is getting divided further into small pieces, which
directly affects production. Remaining 45 lakh people are small, medium and large farmers,
who actually have the capacity of producing food grains at large scale, which can be traded.
The marginal farmers are mostly into vegetable or small scale food grain production, which
has little role in the trade.
Over the last five-six decades, the state has witnessed a successive trend of increase in the
number of farmers in terms of land division and population growth. However, the number of
farmers in the state started shrinking from 2010-11. The number was 1.37 crores in the state
in 2010-11, but went down to 1.36 crores by 2013-14. During the same period, the area of
operational holding and average size of operational holding also went down.
In 2010-11, altogether 2,00,05,000 hectares of land was under cultivation in the state, which
has now declined to 1,97,67,000 hectares. The average size of operational land holding also
dipped from 1.46 hectares to 1.44 hectares.
Sangeeta Shroff, associate professor at Pune-based Gokhale Institute of Politics and
Economics, said the situation is far more serious. Of the total labour force in the state, 52.7%
are in the agriculture sector. Further division shows that 25.4% are cultivators (land owners),
while 27.3% are agricultural labourers. It means that there are more labourers in the state than
land owners. If labour force figures from Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and
Aurangabad are removed, the employment number through agriculture sector stands at
81.36%. It means there are hardly any means of employment in the rural areas barring
agriculture.
She said encouraging agro-processing industries in the rural areas and infrastructure
development should be under taken on priority to control the overall downfall in the sector.
The biggest factor behind farmers being discouraged to leave agriculture is poor irrigation
facilities. The irrigation cover in the state is not more than 18%, of which a huge area is used
for sugarcane cultivation. A cash crop like cotton is largely rain fed putting pressure on the
farmers for making irrigation arrangements. Besides, food grain cultivation is also largely

14

dependent on monsoon, which is adding to farmers' frustration. Unless these issues are
tackled, the sector will continue to remain in poor light," Shroff added.
Those prematurely celebrating a decline miss another point. There were 7.7 million fewer
farmers in 2011 than there were in 2001, as the Census data show us. Millions were and are
either quitting the profession or losing full farmer status. In that period, the country, on
average, saw 2,000 fewer farmers each day. So there were surely even fewer farmers in 2015.
What do get if we view the suicide numbers against this shrinking farmer base.
Experts calculations shows that suicide rates among Indian farmers were a chilling 47 per
cent higher than they were for the rest of the population in 2011. In some of the States worst
hit by the agrarian crisis, they were well over 100 per cent higher. In Maharashtra, farmers
were killing themselves at a rate that was 162 per cent higher than that for any other Indians
excluding farmers. A farmer in this State is two-and-a-half times more likely to commit
suicide than anyone else in the country, other than farmers.

2.9 Maharashtra government wants drought-hit farmers to sell

fish:
The Maharashtra government has launched a unique initiative to stop farmer suicides. It
wants drought-affected farmers in Marathwada and Vidharbh to take up business of selling
fish. The farmers will be provided with vans in which they can move around selling raw and
cooked fish. In the last two to three years, the state has witnessed vagaries of nature
including drought, unseasonal rains and hailstorms. All this has led to despondent farmers
committing suicide.
The plan is to purchase 660 vehicles at a cost of Rs 66 crores. These vans will be transformed
into mobile shops complete with a vending stall, a kiosk, insulated fish boxes, utensils, a
stove and a refrigerator. The vehicles will be distributed among 132 self-help groups, each
comprising five farmers, in the 14 districts of Marathwada and Vidharbh.
These vans will be completely subsidised. The National Fisheries Development Board already
provides 40 per cent subsidy to set up retail outlets to sell fish. The state government has said
it will provide the remaining 60 per cent funds for the project from its own resources. The
states contribution to the project will be Rs 39.6 crores.
The project will be run in Buldhana, Washim, Akola, Yavatmal, Amravati, Wardha,
15

Aurangabad, Jalna, Nanded, Beed, Parbhani, Osmanabad, Latur and Hingoli districts.
Farmers aged 18 to 60, who have their names registered on 7/12 extracts, which denotes
they own a piece of land, will be eligible for the scheme.
According to the government, there have been 1,300 farmer suicides in Maharashtra in the
last six months. The government has decided to launch KrishiSamruddhiYojana to tackle the
issue by easing the farmers loan burden, improving farm infrastructure and creating alternate
revenue sources for farmers. Some farmers have, however, panned the states latest move
saying the policy planners are not taking ground realities into consideration.
Selling fish is a full-time job. Why will farmers stop what they are doing and move towards
selling fish? Where will he procure fish in the first place? Who will give him money to do
that, asked many farm activists over the initiative.
Others welcomed the move but said the project should be transparent so that the benefit
reached those who needed it the most. It is a positive gesture but nearly Rs 60 crores is
involved. There needs to be transparency to see who gets these vehicles. It should not be the
case that rich farmers get benefit of such schemes while poor people are left out, another
farmer from Beed added.

2.10 Small Farmers are too small to matter:

Incredible as it may sound, the fact is that while the overall flow of institutional credit to
agriculture has increased manifold on paper, the actual availability of finance to farmers
(especially small and marginal ones) has dwindled, increasing their reliance on moneylenders.
This is mainly due to the mindless broadening of the definition of agricultural credit which
allows banks to lend more to relatively-high credit-worthy sectors while still claiming to have
met targets for agricultural advances. The small and marginal farmers, who constitute nearly
84 per cent of the total farming community, are gradually being eased out of the institutional
credit sector.
This has been revealed in the detailed analysis of institutional/bank credit to agriculture
carried out by Consortium of Indian Farmers Association (CIFA). This study cites the
findings of The Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers (2003) to support the contention
that the flow of bank credit to small and marginal farmers has declined perceptibly over the
years.
16

The survey showed that small and marginal farmers took more loans from non-institutional
sources (moneylenders) than did large cultivators. While nearly 57.6 per cent of those owning
less than 0.4 hectares (one acre) of land took loans from non-institutional sources, only 33 per
cent of farmers holding above two hectares (5 acres) relied on these sources.
The discrimination by banks against small and marginal farmers comes out more starkly when
viewed in terms of the proportion of small and marginal farmers in the total number who are
getting agricultural loans. In 1990, prior to the initiation of economic reforms, as many as
58.70 per cent of all agricultural loans had a value below Rs 25,000 each (such loans are
normally made to small and marginal farmers); this number dropped to 52 per cent by 1995,
and further fell to 23.50 per cent by 2003. By 2006, the proportion of such loans nosedived to
merely 13.30 per cent. The total decline since 1990, therefore, works out to a huge 75 per
cent.
In contrast, the number of large loans, in excess of Rs 1 crores (such loans are made to nonfarmers covered under the priority sector agricultural lending), rose four-fold during this
period. Giving details of how the profile of agricultural loans under the priority sector credit
was altered to the detriment of needy farmers, the CIFA paper points out that till 1993 only
direct finance to agriculture was included under mandatory 18 per cent priority sector
lending; subsequently even indirect credit was added to it.
From 1994 onwards, bigger loans ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crores, sanctioned to
agricultures allied activities (largely commercial ventures) were also included in permissible
indirect finance to agriculture. These included, among others, the dealers of cattle and poultry
feed, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and farm machinery, even state electricity boards,
and agri-business centres.
What is more, even subscription to the bonds issued by the Rural Electrification Corporation
for financing its programme for energising pump sets in rural as well as semi-urban areas and
loans to cold storage units were deemed indirect finance to agriculture. As a result, the share
of such other types of indirect finance in total indirect credit to agriculture surged from 56
per cent in 1999 to as high as 76 per cent by 2006.
Worse still, to curtail access of even direct finance to small and marginal farmers, banks
were allowed to show one-third of their loans to corporate houses, partnership firms and
institutions for agricultures allied activities (such as poultry, fishery and dairy) as direct
finance to agriculture. The rest of the credit to such sectors was deemed as indirect credit to
agriculture.
17

Thus, indirect finance to agriculture has expanded since the late 1990s at an annual rate of 33
per cent, to artificially inflate the numbers concerning total flow of institutional credit to
agriculture. These facts, obviously, bear ample testimony to the fact that most of the changes
in the agricultural credit structure in the past two decades have gone against the interests of
small and marginal farmers who need cheaper institutional credit more than others. There is,
therefore, an urgent need for a re-look at the entire gamut of issues concerning agricultural
credit and fix realistic norms for funding this sector.

Table 2.1 Farmers suicide in the state of Maharashtra [1995-2015]

Year

Maharashtra farm suicides

1995

1083

1996

1981

1997

1917

1998

2409

1999

2423

2000

3022

2001

3536

2002

3695

2003

3836

Total 1995-2003

23,902

2004

4147

2005

3926

2006

4453

2007

4238

2008

3802

18

2009

2872

2010

3141

2011

3337

2012

3786

2013

3146

2014

3570

Up to 31st oct15

3405

Total

43823

2004-2015
Total

67,725

1995-2015

2.11Government steps/view on the issue:

2.11.1 Negative side of the government:
1. Not a single dedicated system and person to tackle the issue,
2. Non-integral approach in planning and execution,
3. Government recorded only 3 farmers suicide for the year 2015. But the actual one is
3405 (up to 31st oct15),
4. Wrong policy designing like MSP and Green Revolution caused for great loss to the
nation. Like 2000 farmers leaving agricultural profession every single day. Also its
responsible for decreased health of soil,
5. No interest in farmers care (RR has only 3 people, Internal IB, CAG, 14 reports,
moodies, Bombay high court)

Declared Drought policy at very late,

No interest in system delivery,

Re restricted autonomy on purchasing farm equipment,

Cant provide basic facilities of water and electricity (infra, value chain, education
& health)

Provides only 6 to 7% producer support estimate,

19

6. No initiative for effective stakeholder management. It has great absence of

communication at various levels
7. No strategy to combat with climate change conditions. No effective and efficient
system for crop loan and crop insurance delivery,
8. Centralization of authority at various levels,
9. Not have required recognisation for farming in regular academic education.

2.11.2 Positive side of the government:

1. With the help of Jalyukta shivar abhiyan, in more than 6000 villages, 1.20 lakh water
conservations work has been executed. It took 1400 Cr rupees fund for completion. It
resulted to build 24 TMC capacities for rain water store within the year of its
inception. Delivery Change Foundation from Pune greatly assisted for its policy
preparation,
2. Launched pilot project in Yavatmal/Osmanabad district of Maharashtra: Officers of
secretary level instructed for close monitoring at sub divisional level. They have been
delegated with special authority for effective implementation and control,
3. Initiated a central monitoring body for Yavatmal district of Vidharbh,
4. Launched zero suicide plan for Osmanabad district,
5. Appointed Vnss chief for extended coordination,
6. Started the process to deliver Soil health care policy,
7. Started the process to set up online platform for national agriculture market that seeks
to integrate 585 wholesale markets across India.
8. Central panel recommended mechanism for price surety to farmers,
9. With the help of world bank, executing farm product deposit policy in some parts of
Maharashtra, where 75% of amt of farm produce equivalent get issued on the date of
depositing (at listed warehouses). 25% reservation has been availed for farmers. 50%
concession availed over rent charges,
10. Brought some minor reformations at APMC policy on paper. Not showing serious
interests for model act implementation,

2.11.3 Following announcements over the issue:

1. Rs. 8582 crores drought help distributed over 1.37 crores farmers,
2. Planned to establish whether recording stations at 5000 Mandals,
3. Criteria shifted from 50% to 33% for crop insurance delivery,
20

4. Reweaving of loan. Govt will pay the full interest of 1st year,
5. Planned to launch integrated agriculture development project,

Its planned to cover 1.88 lakh hectare farms.

Crops included are cotton, soya, serials, grain, vegetables, and corn.

Its planned to benefit 1, 40,261 farmers.

Its year end objective for buying settled at 3, 25,500 ton.

6. Distribution of wheat for 2 Rs/kg and rice for 3 Rs/kg,

7. Decision of organic policy preparation,
8. Planning to start 44 food processing units,
9. Reweaving of short term loan period to medium one.
10. Planning to establish textile Parks in 8 Districts of Maharashtra (Aurangabad, nanded,
parbhani, beed, jalna, Yavatmal, buldhana, jalgaon)

2.12Zero suicide plan for Osmanabad district of marathwada:

With the number of farmer suicides in Marathwada crossing 800-mark in 10 months of this
year (2015), the Maharashtra government has picked Osmanabad, one of the worst-affected
districts, for its zero suicide plan. To achieve the objective, the government has launched a
slew of measures in Osmanabad which would be replicated subsequently in other seven
affected districts of Marathwada. Osmanabad is one of the three worst-affected districts of
Marathwada region. The other two are Beed and Nanded. By the end of last month, all three
districts saw over 100 suicides, with Beed crossing the 150-mark.
Of the total 807 suicides by farmers, at least 294 are not related to crop failure or rising debt
of farmers, say district officials. But yes, as many as 513 deaths are due to indebtedness and
crop failure caused by poor rains. Nearly 294 suicides have taken place due to various
reasons, including illness or family disputes. In some cases, it was found they did not qualify
as farmers. This emerged in a survey carried out by a team of officials.
Almost every week over the past 10 months, the Marathwada region has seen suicides by
farmers, sometimes the number being as high as 30 a week. This has prompted the
government to initiate strong steps, including designating Osmanabad as the model district
where it plans to bring down number of farmer suicides to almost zero in the next few
months and then subsequently replicate the plan in other districts.
As the first step, officials have launched mass counselling movement of farmers and their
21

families. This is being done by appointing committees at Taluka-level. The committee

members have to locate farmers in distress and start their counselling immediately. It
primarily includes updating them about availability of government schemes whether it
concerns improving farm yield or loan from nationalised banks at lower interest rates than
those offered by money-lenders.
District officials are also holding public meetings in villages where well-to-do villagers are
urged to identify those in distress and guide them to government counselling centres or
nearby government departments. The officials are also planning to reach the door-step of the
farming community to understand the travails they face in their everyday life.
Significantly, stress is also being laid on working on the mental aspects of farmers. The
officials under National Health Mission try to first understand the trauma the farmers are
facing and then advise them how to cope with it.
Another significant step the state government has taken is to re-launch the Vasantrao Naik
Swawlambi Shetkari Mission. It has roped a prominent activist from Vidharbh, Kishore
Tiwari, to head the mission. The mission has an express purpose to make farmers self-reliant,
help them face vagaries of nature and free them from the clutches of money-lenders and the
vicious cycle of debt, he said. Tiwari said the government was working at multiple levels to
reduce the spiralling cases of farmer suicides.

2.13 Central panel recommended price surety to farmers:

The committee constituted by the Union agriculture ministry to examine the mandate of the
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and various aspects of fixation of
minimum support price (MSP) has submitted its report. In its recommendations, it has
suggested a complete revamp of methodology to calculate MSP and introduction of
mechanisms, such as Deficiency Price Payment (DPP) or Price Insurance (PI) for price surety,
for all the crops for which MSP is declared.
The report was submitted last month and accessed by Business Standard suggests while
calculating the cost of production, two villages be selected in place of one village at present
from each select block for wider coverage to strengthen the system of collection of cost data
from farmers. Also, the committee is of the view that counting of time spent by farmers in
production alone and valuing it as the wage rate of ordinary labour is gross undervaluation of
the farmers' time. It is felt farmers should be treated as expert in agricultural work. The
committee also suggests head of the family engaged in farming should be valued at skilled
22

wage rates. Also, it suggests the interest on working capital should be estimated for whole,
not half, of the period of a crop season and should be on actual interest paid out by the sample
farmers. Further, the land rental values should be based on actual rates prevailing in the
sample villages.
The committee said various items of fixed cost are not projected for the year for which MSP
is announced. Therefore, it recommends interest and depreciation on fixed capital be
projected by raising them at the rate of inflation in construction material. It also suggests
essentially rental value of owned land and interest on fixed capital be considered for fixed
cost.
The committee further suggests CACP should monitor farm harvest prices in the season for
all important crops in the states to oversee that farmers are not paid price below MSP. If
prices fall below statutory MSP, CACP should make an immediate recommendation to
government to address the situation. As price guarantee cannot be ensured through
procurement everywhere, mechanisms such as DPP and PI are put in place.

The committee also recommends the role of CACP be expanded and it should be renamed as
the Commission on Agricultural Costs, Prices and Policies'. CACP, based on data collected in
the comprehensive scheme to begin with, should put out information on farm incomes for
different crop complexes and specific categories of farmers, and make recommendations
related to farm incomes and remunerative prices.
Major suggestions of the committee
While calculating the cost of production, two villages should be selected in place of

one village from each block,

Head of a family engaged in farming should be valued at skilled-wage rates,
The interest on working capital should be estimated for whole, not half, of the period

of a crop season,
The land rental values should be based on actual rates prevailing in the sample

villages.
Interest and depreciation on fixed capital be projected by raising them at the rate of

inflation in construction material,

23

2.14 Government planning to set up online agricultural market:

Governments agency Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) has invited bids to
hire a strategic partner to set up an online platform for the proposed national agriculture
market that seeks to integrate 585 wholesale markets across India. In July this year, the
Cabinet had approved setting up of an online national agriculture market that will provide
more options to farmers to sell their produce and also marked Rs 200 crore for its
establishment. An amount of Rs 100 crore has already been allocated in current year's Budget
which is being used for the development of this platform.
"SFAC has invited bids for appointment of a strategic partner for implementing the national
agriculture e-market in the country. With the help of a strategic partner, SFAC will set up an
appropriate common e-market platform, which will be deployed in the selected 585 regulated
wholesale markets keen to join the e-platform. As many as 10 states, including Andhra
Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Jharkhand, have shown interest to
come on board.
According to the proposal, the Union Agriculture Ministry will provide software to state
governments free of cost. It will also give grant as a one-time fixed cost subject to the ceiling
of Rs 30 lakh per mandi for related infrastructure for installation of the e-market platform.

SFAC will implement the national e-platform in three phases in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 201718. Currently, farmers are restricted to selling their produce at mandis that charge various
taxes. The proposed online agri-market is expected to give choice to farmers to sell their
produce both in physical mandis or online platform. The easy access to sell via online trade is
likely to boost their incomes and improve availability, moderating price rise. The Karnataka
government is already offering a similar online agriculture market to farmers.

2.15 Maharashtra govt launched pilot projects for two districts:

The Maharashtra government has launched two pilot projects for agriculture in Yavatmal
district of Vidharbh and Osmanabad district from Marathwada. The projects will be
implemented in collaboration with Israel.

24

The two projects will take into account the specific weather and geographical conditions in
each district. The projects will also address the marketing of agricultural products. The chief
minister has also directed the local administration to speed up work on wells and farm ponds
especially in the dry Marathwada region.

2.16 Importance of organic farming:

Organic farming is a technique, which involves cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in
natural ways. This process involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic
substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution and
wastage. It relies on ecologically balanced agricultural principles like crop rotation, green
manure, organic waste, biological pest control, mineral and rock additives. Organic farming
makes use of pesticides and fertilizers if they are considered natural and avoids the use of
various petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The population of the planet is skyrocketing and providing food for the world is becoming
extremely difficult. The need of the hour is sustainable cultivation and production of food for
all. The Green Revolution and its chemical based technology are losing its appeal as
dividends are falling and returns are unsustainable. Pollution and climate change are other
negative externalities caused by use of fossil fuel based chemicals. As of 2012, the market for
organic farming and other products has reached $63 billion worldwide.

2.16.1 Key features of Organic Farming:

Protecting soil quality using organic material and encouraging biological activity

Indirect provision of crop nutrients using soil microorganisms

Nitrogen fixation in soils using legumes

Weed and pest control based on methods like crop rotation, biological diversity,
natural predators, organic manures and suitable chemical, thermal and biological
intervention

Rearing of livestock, taking care of housing, nutrition, health, rearing and breeding

Care for the larger environment and conservation of natural habitats and wild life.

25

Table 2.2 Characteristics of Inorganic and Organic Farming in a nutshell

Sr.

Characteristics

Farming with Synthetic Fertilizers

Organic Fertilizers

Petroleum Dependency

High

Negligible

Labour Requirements

High, hired

Family or hired

Management Intensity

High

Low

Intensity of Tillage

High

Medium

Plant Diversity

Low

High

Crop varieties

Hybrids

Hybrid or open pollinated

Source of Seeds

All purchased

Purchased, some saved

Integration of Crops

None

Use of manure

no.

and Livestock
9

Insect Pests

Very unpredictable

Unpredictable

10

Insect Management

Chemical

Bio-pesticides some bio-control

11

Weed Management

Chemical, tillage

Cultural control

12

Disease Management

Chemical, vertical resistance

Antagonists, horizontal resistance,

multi-line cultivars

13

14

Plant Nutrition

Water Management

Chemical, fertilizers applied in

Micro bio-fertilizers, organic

pulses,

fertilizers. Semi open systems

Large-scale irrigation That too for

Sprinkler and drip irrigation Les

many times

expenditure on irrigation because

of improved water holding capacity
of soil.

15

Texture of soil

Soil Loses texture

Texture of Soil is maintained.

16

Growth of earthworms

Chemicals Kill earthworms

Earthworms survive and support

26

crop production.
17

Water-holding capacity

Lost, very miserable condition

of soil
18

Rate of growth of plant

Water holding capacity increases

day by day

Unnatural fast rate of growth

Disease resistant capacity of plant

resulting in weak plant and

increases.

subsequent attack by pests.

19

20

Level of poisonous

Do appear from chemical fertilizers

Not at all.

substances

to food items to breast milk/milk

Food items, soil is poison-free,

and in human blood.

So also the mothers milk

Nil

Consumes harmless farm waste

Makes the soil waste, arid.

folder, cow-dung, cow urine-Thus

Consumption of waste

keeping the environment clean.

21

Pollution

The main factor is pollution-

Always eco-friendly

pollutes soil, water, environment,

food items, human health.
22

Quality of food

Unhealthy, poisonous

Healthy, tasty food,

Acceptable all over the world

23

Availability of manure

Procedure from fertilizer factories,

Manure is produced at farmyard

shops, Requires hauling

resulting in Zero procurement cost.

expenditure.
24

Raw material

It is imported, a very costly affair.

Raw material for making organic

manure is available at farm itself
.Hence the cheapest and best.

25

Burden on economy

A very heavy burden

Affordable

26

Self reliant

Farmer never becomes self-reliant

Farmer becomes se-reliant

27

Rural employment

Unable to generate rural

Generates rural employment

employment
28

Pollution at

Highly Pollutant.

Very safe. No. Pollution at all at

Pollutes factory environment,

manufacturing level of organic

27

manufacturing level

Waste-water from factory

fertilizers and organic pest

Ultimately Polluting sweet water

repellent.

Available to mankind on this earth.

29

Old age cow progeny

Lost the importance

Are valuable source of cow dung

30

Seeds

Seeds lack germination potential.

Seeds have high germination

potential.

31

Impact

Curse of human race

Blessing to human race

32

Ground water level

Decrease

Maintains to ground water

33

Soil hardness/density

It increases

It decreases, results in more water

absorption.

34

Use of diesel tractor

Pollutes soil strata

35

Position of Soil

Lost, Growing of Ayurvedic herbs

Retained, Organic farming is

nutrients

is never possible with chemical

suitable for all crops

farming.
36

Economy of farmers

It is an ever-increasing burden.

Input cost is affordable for even

poor farmers

37

Health

Harmful

Harmless.

2.16.2 Benefits of Organically Grown Agricultural Produce:

1. Reduce the Toxic Load: Keep Chemicals Out of the Air, Water, Soil and our Bodies:
Buying organic food promotes a less toxic environment for all living things. With only
0.5 percent of crop and pasture land in organic, according to USDA that leaves 99.5
percent of farm acres in the U.S. at risk of exposure to noxious agricultural chemicals.
Our bodies are the environment so supporting organic agriculture doesnt just benefit
your family; it helps all families live less toxically.
28

2. Reduce if Not Eliminate off Farm Pollution: Industrial agriculture doesnt singularly
pollute farmland and farm workers; it also wreaks havoc on the environment
downstream. Pesticide drift affects non-farm communities with odorless and invisible
poisons. Synthetic fertilizer drifting downstream is the main culprit for dead zones in
delicate ocean environments, such as the Gulf of Mexico, where its dead zone is now
larger than 22,000 square kilometers, an area larger than New Jersey, according to
Science magazine, August, 2002.

3. Protect Future Generations: Before a mother first nurses her newborn, the toxic risk
from pesticides has already begun. Studies show that infants are exposed to hundreds
of harmful chemicals in utero. In fact, our nation is now reaping the results of four
generations of exposure to agricultural and industrial chemicals, whose safety was
deemed on adult tolerance levels, not on childrens. According to the National
Academy of Science, neurologic and behavioral effects may result from low-level
exposure to pesticides. Numerous studies show that pesticides can adversely affect
the nervous system, increase the risk of cancer, and decrease fertility.

4. Build Healthy Soil: Mono-cropping and chemical fertilizer dependency has taken a
toll with a loss of top soil estimated at a cost of $40 billion per year in the U.S.,
according to David Pimentel of Cornell University. Add to this an equally disturbing
loss of micro nutrients and minerals in fruits and vegetables. Feeding the soil with
organic matter instead of ammonia and other synthetic fertilizers has proven to
increase nutrients in produce, with higher levels of vitamins and minerals found in
organic food, according to the 2005 study, Elevating Antioxidant levels in food
through organic farming and food processing, Organic Center State of Science
Review (1.05)

5. Taste better and truer flavor: Scientists now know what we eaters have known all
along: organic food often tastes better. It makes sense that strawberries taste yummier
when raised in harmony with nature, but researchers at Washington State University
just proved this as fact in lab taste trials where the organic berries were consistently
judged as sweeter. Plus, new research verifies that some organic produce is often
lower in nitrates and higher in antioxidants than conventional food. Let the organic
feasting begin!
29

6. Assist Family Farmers of all Sizes: According to Organic Farming Research

Foundation, as of 2006 there are approximately 10,000 certified organic producers in
the U.S. compared to 2500 to 3,000 tracked in 1994. Measured against the two million
farms estimated in the U.S. today, organic is still tiny. Family farms that are certified
organic farms have a double economic benefit: they are profitable and they farm in
harmony with their surrounding environment. Whether the farm is a 4-acre orchard or
a 4,000-acre wheat farm, organic is a beneficial practice that is genuinely familyfriendly.

7. Avoid Hasty and Poor Science in Your Food: Cloned food. GMOs and rBGH.
Interesting how swiftly these food technologies were rushed to market, when organic
fought for 13 years to become federal law. Eleven years ago, genetically modified
food was not part of our food supply; today an astounding 30 percent of our cropland
is planted in GMOs. Organic is the only de facto seal of reassurance against these and
other modern, lab-produced additions to our food supply, and the only food term with
built in inspections and federal regulatory teeth.

8. Eating with a Sense of Place: whether it is local fruit, imported coffee or artisan
cheese, organic can demonstrate a reverence for the land and its people. No matter the
zip code, organic has proven to use less energy (on average, about 30 percent less), is
beneficial to soil, water and local habitat, and is safer for the people who harvest our
food. Eat more seasonably by supporting your local farmers market while also
supporting a global organic economy year round. It will make your taste buds happy.

9. Promote Biodiversity: Visit an organic farm and youll notice something: a buzz of
animal, bird and insect activity. These organic oases are thriving, diverse habitats.
Native plants, birds and hawks return usually after the first season of organic
practices; beneficial insects allow for a greater balance, and indigenous animals find
these farms a safe haven. As best said by Aldo Leopold, A good farm must be one
where the native flora and fauna have lost acreage without losing their existence. An
organic farm is the equivalent of reforestation. Industrial farms are the equivalent of
clear cutting of native habitat with a focus on high farm yields.

30

10. Celebrate the Culture of Agriculture: Food is a language spoken in every culture.
Making this language organic allows for an important cultural revolution whereby
diversity and biodiversity are embraced and chemical toxins and environmental harm
are radically reduced, if not eliminated. The simple act of saving one heirloom seed
from extinction, for example, is an act of biological and cultural conservation. Organic
is not necessarily the most efficient farming system in the short run. It is slower,
harder, more complex and more labor-intensive. But for the sake of culture
everywhere, from perm culture to human culture, organic should be celebrated at
every table.

2.16.3 Why is modern farming unsustainable?

1. Loss of soil fertility due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and lack of crop
rotation.
2. Nitrate run off during rains contaminates water resources.
3. Soil erosion due to deep ploughing and heavy rains.
4. More requirement of fuel for cultivation.
5. Use of poisonous bio-cide sprays to curb pest and weeds.
6. Cruelty to animals in their housing, feeding, breeding and slaughtering.
7. Loss of biodiversity due to mono culture.
8. Native animals and plants lose space to exotic species and hybrids.

2.16.4 Importance of indigenous cow for organic farming:

Ancient Rishi-Munis have been mentors of our people since ages, who realized the
importance of cow for economic well being of the country. Cow-based farming became our
culture as the way of our thinking is in accordance with the nature. In nature, the existence of
human beings. Animals, birds, plants etc. is dependent on each other. However, unfortunately
during last thousand years, our life-style and our way of thinking have been completely
influenced by the Mugals rulers and then by the Britishers. The cattle-based organic farming
was our priority. After independence the importance was given to chemical & mechanized
farming. Now after 50-60 years, we are experiencing the adverse effects of chemical farming
and we are marching towards destruction. The evil effects of Chemical & Mechanised
fanning in present situation.

31

The Cattle-protection and organic farming is the only solution to all world-wide-problems.
Therefore, it is requested to all farmers, Villagers to follow our ancient Cow based farming to
maintain the Nature-Balance and save the world from disaster. Chemical based technological
advancement ushered the era of green revolution and in the process paid rich dividends in
form of higher crop yields to feed the teeming millions. It has, however, come of age and over
a period of time started exhibiting fissures in form of production plateau on one hand and
negative cascading impact on environmental degradation on the other The myopic frame
work of chemo-centre technology being oblivious of the ecosystem intricacies led to
emergence of variety of problems, via degradation of soil fertility, low yields. Emergence of
new pests/diseases, wiping out of friendly insect population and percolation of toxic
chemicals into the food chain etc. which if not tackled pragmatically, would boomerang,
eventually threatening the very existence of life on the biosphere. In all the major spheres of
human influence, sustain ability has emerged as the most appropriate paradigm of
development. In sustainable development, progress in any sector is gauged from the
quantitative as well as qualitative angles.

When sustainability is applied in agriculture, the development is evaluated not only in terms
of the crop and livestock outputs but also in terms of the social, economic and ecological
appropriateness of the production processes adopted.

Go Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra in collaboration with various national research institutes of

CSIR, ICAR, ICMR and NITs such as NBRI, CIMAP, NEERI, IARI, IVRI, VNIT, IICT,
Institute of Dermatology, and CICR and also with some veterinary, agriculture and pharmacy
colleges filed six patents on the utility of cow dung, cow urine & other gavyas of Panchgavya.
The findings are re-establishing the lost glory of cattle and its utility for mankind. The details
of 6 patents on Indigenous cow are as follows.

1. US patent No 6410059- for Antibiotic Anti Fungul, Bio enhancer effect of Gomutra.
Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibiotic and cow urine
distillate in an amount effective to enhance antimicrobial effect of the antibiotic is
disclosed. The antibiotic can be an antifungal agent. The antibiotic can be a quinolone
or a fluoroquinolone. The antifungal agent can be azoles, clotrimazole, mystatin or
amphoteric in.

2. US Patent No. 6896907 - For Anti Allergic, Anti infective, Nutrient & Anti-cancer.
32

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel pharmaceutical composition comprising an

effective amount of bio-active fraction from cow urine distillate as a bioavailability
facilitator and pharmaceutically acceptable additives selected from anticancer
compounds, antibiotics, drugs, therapeutic and nutraceutic agents, ions and similar
molecules which are targeted to the living systems.

3. US Patent No. 7718360- For Anti Oxidant, Apoptosis.

Abstract: A composition useful for protecting and/or repairing DNA from oxidative
damages said composition

comprising redistilled cow's urine distillate (RCUD)

having components benzoic acid, and hexanoic acid, with ammonia content of the
composition ranging between 5-15 mg/L, and optionally along with anti-oxidants; and
a method of protecting and/or repairing DNA from oxidative damages using
composition of claim 1, said method comprising steps of estimating the amount of
folded DNA in a sample, mixing the said composition to the said DNA either before
or after the exposure of the DNA to the oxidatively DNA-damaging agent, and
determining percentage folded DNA in the mixture showing protection and/or repair
of DNA from oxidative damages. -

4. US Patent No. 7235262- For cow urine distillate as a Bio-enhancer of Anti-infective,

Anti-cancer agents & Nutrients
Abstract: The invention relates to a novel pharmaceutical composition comprising an
effective amount of bio-active fraction from cow urine distillate as a bioavailability
facilitator and pharmaceutically acceptable

additives selected from anticancer

compounds, antibiotics, drugs, therapeutic and nutraceutic agents, ions and similar
molecules which are targeted to the living systems.

5. China Patent No. 100475221- For protecting and/or repairing DNA from oxidative
damages
Abstract: A composition useful for protecting and/or repairing DNA from oxidative
damages said composition comprising redistilled cow's urine distillate (RCUD) having
components benzoic acid, and hexanoic acid, with ammonia content of the
composition ranging between 5-15mg/L, and optionally along with anti-oxidants; and
a method of protecting and/or repairing DNA from oxidative damages using
composition of claim 1, said method comprising steps of estimating the amount of
33

folded DNA in a sample, mixing the said composition to the said DNA either before
or after the exposure of the DNA to the oxidatively DNA-damaging agent, and
determining percentage folded DNA in the mixture showing protection and/or repair
of DNA from oxidative damages.

6. US Patent No. 7297659- For synergistic fermented plant growth promoting, biocontrol composition
Abstract: The present invention relates to a synergistic composition useful as plant and
soil health enhancer, comprising urine, neem and garlic, individually or in all possible
combinations, with the treatment showing it has the ability to stimulate accumulation
of nutrients in the plant biomass, proliferation of plant growth promoting, phosphate
solubilizing, abiotic stress tolerant and antagonists towards plant pathogenic fungi,
control phytopathogenic fungi in the rhizosphere of plants, and enhances the total
phenolic contents of the plants.

2.16.5 What has gone wrong despite of such great importance?

The practice of slaughter is extremely cruel and disaster for the community and its agriculture
based economy. Originally in India, milk was not the only most important product from the
cattle. Cows and bulls were used in fields and their dung and urine were used to make
compost, medicine and other health products. Only the little extra milk left from the cow after
feeding her calf was used by the family who owned the cow. The cow was not considered a
"milk producing machine".
At present, the cows are reduced to production units of milk and meat (Biotech Milk
Machine). A cow slaughter is more and more accepted and practiced in spite of it being illegal
in India. Since 1950, fertilizers and pesticides were introduced in India mainly for
commercial crops like cotton and chillies. Because of the abuse of the soil with chemical
fertilizers and pesticides, the soil has lost its fertility and, therefore, agriculture has become
unprofitable for farmers. Because of drought and unprofitable agriculture, the farmers are
compelled to send their animals for slaughter. They go for cash crops from genetically
modified seeds and one forced to use fertilizers and pesticides.

The government sponsored schemes for the welfare of the poor are promoting the cross
breeds though artificial insemination of cows and buffaloes for higher milk production
34

without meeting the other objectives of improving the conditions of local farmers through
sustainable agriculture and organic farming and the use of all cow related products.

Unfortunately the high yielding crossbreed cows/buffaloes are vulnerable to fertility problems
and diseases. Invariably, they too end up in slaughter houses. The male calves from the cross
breed cattle are useless for drought purpose. They are deprived of their mother's milk. Starved
to death or they go for slaughter. Further the cow is injected with oxytocin to force increased
yield of milk as fast as possible. Every milking results in labour pains, due to this drug, and
the animal is traumatized. There are also regularly pumped with vaccines, hormones,
antibiotics and other drugs. Our aim should be to restore the partnership between humans and
cows. Our long-term objective should be to improve the conditions of local farmers through
sustainable agriculture and organic farming and the use of all cow related products.
Also, Cow and its progeny is precious national property, heritage and resource base. The
respect and worship that cows command in Indian Societies cannot be without the immense
role they play in the well being of the communities.
The environment and productivity of cow and its progeny are established and accepted facts
for over millennia. However those who planned road map of development of post
independence India did not take a cognizance of this adequately. Therefore, it becomes
essential to re-enlighten the society to re-establish the connection between cow and human
sustainability with adequate scientific support.
With abundance of sunlight, the crops bear the fruits and seeds in the orient whereas a feeble
growth occurs in the continent. Therefore, the vegetation in continent was never adequate to
satisfy human hunger. Eating animals was, therefore, a compulsion in the West. The
compulsion was propagated as culture. With intrusion of continentals over the globe, the
illusory Western concept Kill animals to fill human belly became a style to copy. Needless
to mention that copying seldom is thoughtful.
With hardly three centuries of agriculture, the European and Americans are confronted with
failures in agriculture, thus, these civilizations have no standing to teach and propagate
performance of same quantum. The Indian agriculture has a standing of millennia. It is
imperative to understand the scientific basis of these time-tested technologies. Agricultural
practices, imitative of America and Europe were unsustainable and, therefore, have caused
heavy damage and abuse of resources in India and have adversely changed related parameters
in alarming dimension and quantum.

35

Chapter 3: Systematic problem solving approach

3.1 The integrated system management structure:
3.1.1 Need of the integrated system management structure:
Water management policy research team, an outsider to Maharashtra govt, submitted a report
on state water management policy. It concluded with an important advice for integrating all
water management related policies. Along with suggested a new mechanism approach for
effective implementation. Their emphasis on integration followed by right implementable
plan resulted to some great deliverables. 24 TMC of rain water storage capacity has been
created within a span of year. It could be possible to achieve with the just help of Rs.1400
Crores instead of Rs. 5000 to 6000 Crores. It has been strictly monitored by war room of CM
office. It has great importance as economic survey of year 2012. It reported that land under
irrigation in the state increased just 0.1% between 2001 and 2011, despite Rs.15, 000 crores
being spent.
It indicates, government has a great need for right approaches followed by rightly
structured implementable plan. Previously TISS survey cited "government apathy, lack of
access to information related to agriculture as the chief causes for the desperate condition of
farmers in the state." Also the government's response and relief packages have generally been
ineffective, misdirected and flawed. It has focused on credit and loan, rather than income,
productivity and farmer prosperity.
Recently, a state soil health report has been published. Its concluded with negative
health of soil. It is directly/indirectly concerns with ministries of agriculture, animal
husbandry, water resource, industries, marketing, information and broadcasting, rural
development, health, education, etc. and the same true with other aspects of farmers suicide
issue. Also, there is not a single specialized/authorized person on farmers suicide issue. It has
been distributed over a number of sections/peoples/authorities. It can be seen from chart
no.3.1.1. Due absence of the same, there is also absence of integrated/dedicated vision,
objective and plan of work.So despite of billions of rupees expenditure, government could not
able to stop the suicide of farmers.
It clearly shows government has a great need for integrative vision, plan and system for
highly expected deliverables. If respective authorities truly wish to stop the suicide of farmers
and have some care for welfare of them, then they should kindly revisit their system of
planning and delivering mechanism in the following integrated manner.
36

Following integrated system management structure can be considered for achieving

respective status of zero farmers suicide state. Structure represented as chart 3.1.2:

3.1.2 Functions of the integrated system management structure:

1. To integrate governments efforts over the issue,
2. Assist for higher accountability, productivity and creativity over the same,
3. Should perform planning, organizing, executing, monitoring and controlling of the
governments resources in an integrated way,
4. Responsible for eliminating farmers suicide in Maharashtra,
5. Should assist in preparing vision and plan of deliverables document,
6. Should assist in collaborating governments policies and plans on the issue,
7. Should assist in building interrelated and effective policies,
8. Should assist decision makers for knowing/getting collaborated with each other,

3.1.3 Functions of Project coordination mechanism:

3.1.3.1 Functions Inter-departmental teams:
Project co-ordination A:

It is expected that subject of farmer suicide should be transferred to agricultural

department for proactive planning and implementation,

Special project manager should be appointed with complete authority on the issue,

The new team should have the single responsibility of farmers care and objective to
reduce farmers suicide in Maharashtra,

It is responsible for coordinating and integrating interdepartmental functions on the

issue,

3.1.3.2 Functions of intra-departmental teams:

Project co-ordination B:

In concerned 14 departments, A right person as a additional chief project Manager

should be appointed through special appointment process,

Will be highly responsible for intradepartmental management on the issue,

Other team members can be selected from regular staff. They can have part/full time
appointment. Also some of the respective can be delegated with additional charge,
37

3.1.4 Personnel selection process:

1. Request will be to not undertake governments regular appointing process. As it will
help getting best talent rather than the best right people,
2. Project manager and other staff with special authority should be appointed with
special appointment process,
3. Special rank should be awarded for better functioning,
4. A person from regular staff should not be considered for above hierarchy,
5. Regular assessment of accountability & productivity should be taken,
6. Best performing officers and other staffs should be considered on priority basis,
7. Should think of getting new approaches like hiring candidates from best campuses,
8. Can think of appointing special corporate contractor for providing human resource, Or
Respective authority, at the start, can plan to appoint a right person at a Chief Project
Manager position. And with the help of Project Charter, they can delegate all the
authorities for further faster proceedings.

3.1.5 Advantages of the integrated system management structure:

1. It will be a highly responsible integrated system management structure.
2. It will help,
a. To engage and deliver governments resources in the right direction,
b. To eliminate farmers suicide title within the shortest possible time,
c. To save crores of rupees directly and thousands of crores indirectly,
d. To achieve deliverables through optimum utilization of resources,
e. To deliver higher accountability and productivity over the issue,
3. It can be the only single right approach,
4. It will be highly useful for sustainable growth of farming,
5. It may help to achieve positive agricultural growth rate,
6. It will assist to governments performance considerably,

38

3.1.6 Agricultural extension bureau:

(For reference, Kindly see attached organizational chart 3.1.3)

3.1.6.1 Need of the agricultural extension bureau:

Government failed to reduce farmers suicide in Maharashtra.

It expended around Rs. 60, 000 Crores as a direct special packages within last 12
years. It something represents worlds greatly failure management example.

Also CAG negatively remarked about officers that they didnt reach to almost 90% of
farmers.

Additionally Bombay High Court instructed and criticized so many times on the issue
for initiating needed right steps.

So on..

The list of such will get never get the end of paper.

3.1.6.2 Launch of zero farmer suicide state project:

A project with a title zero farmer suicide state can be considered for launch. Farmer
suicides in Maharashtra has been comprised of great number of facets which require rightly
directed integrated efforts of government.
Today, condition at grass root level reached to extreme state of depressed level. Additionally,
this years rainfall showing great negative symptoms for future period.
As the government already stood with worst financial balance sheet and builded complexity
which reveals that system reformation is something the only best option left to reduce
farmers suicide in Maharashtra. I.e. excelling effectiveness of management effort left with
best probabilities.

3.1.6.3 Need of the Bottleneck management

As bringing reformations in policy has much resistance, so bringing reformations at system
level is the only best way for zero farmer suicide state projects.
It needs to bring reformation following key bottleneck areas.
1. Rainfed agriculture management,
2. Crop rotation and biological diversity management,
39

3. Organic farming management,

4. Extension services management,
5. Soil conservation management,
6. Integrated system co-ordination management,
7. Farmers complaint management.

I would like propose following system reformation structure for further consideration.
Graphical represented can be seen from chart 3.1.3.

3.1.6.4 Authorities of the agriculture extension bureau:

1. The state level:
A. Additional agriculture commissioner:
With respect to following, an IAS officer with best past performance can be considered for
appointment. He/she will directly report to additional chief secretary and agriculture
commissioner of Government of Maharashtra.
Delegation of responsibility:

He/she will be administrative chief of agriculture extension bureau.

He/she will be wholly responsible for outcome of zero farmer suicide state project.

He/she will be responsible for communicating and co-coordinating respected elements

of project. I.e. various related governments department, respected people and
institutions, farmer groups and so on.

He/she will be completely responsible associated natural/updated responsibilities of

the post.

Special selection process:

If possible, following selection criteria should be considered for appointment.

Selection process can be made special.

An open invitee should be called from all the IAS officers of state.

No experience criteria should be adhered for selection. I.e. it will be a kind request to
not follow the regular bureaucratic promotion or appointment process.
40

A special committee with involvement of Hon. Chief Minister, agricultural Minister,

Chief Secretary, additional chief secretary (agricultural and Marketing) and
agricultural commissioner should be considered for best selection.

Past performance analysis of the respective officer should be considered for

appointment.

Swot analysis, multi criteria decision analysis should be taken for additional
consideration.

B. The Director:
There will be seven numbers of directors for extended to co-ordination to individual area.
Delegation of authority:

He/she will be assigned for complete responsibility of one of the seven focused area.

He/she will be completely responsible associated natural/updated responsibilities of

the post.

He will be partly responsible for zero farmer suicide project.

He will be responsible for coordinating with other stakeholders of the proposed

institution.

Special selection process:

An open invitee should be called from all the IAS officers of state.

Past performance and swot analysis will be given great importance during selection.

No experience criteria should be adhered for selection. I.e. it will be a kind request to
not follow the regular bureaucratic promotion or appointment process.

A special committee of above can consider for right selection.

C. Chief project coordinator:

As explained in chapter 3.1.2, he/she will be responsible for coordination of integrated

right policy building.

He will be adhered and authorized under hon. ACS of Agricultural and marketing.

41

A dedicated staff of a right number can be made available to him/her. They will
responsible for respective functions of assignment which aimed at rightly constructed
integrated policy.

They will also responsible for continues R & D on the respective facets of the issue.

And if possible a rightly directed monitoring and controlling cell will be engaged for
effective management of the same.

2. The divisional, district and taluka level:

Respected officers and staff for divisional, district and taluka level can be appointed
on contract basis. They will be responsible functions of the respective level and
associated areas.

They will be responsible for planning and execution of the agriculture extension
bureaus functions at respective level. Also they all be designated as a staff of
agricultural extension bureau.

3. The village level:

As government has short of finance so availing dedicated staff at each and every
village will be quite difficult

But if government think for some modification at MNREGA policy. And invites
application for village extension coordinator where appropriate monthly payment of 7
to 8 thousand can be directed for purpose.

Government already gives same payment to MNREGA workers on daily basis. But if
it plans to allocate lumsum satisfied wages for coordinating extension bureau at
village level then if we can able see effective and expected results of farmers welfare.

3.1.6.5 Functions of agricultural extension bureau:

1. Rainfed agricultural management

Farmer suicides are mainly from this region of rainfed agriculture. The reasons or root
cause analysis can be tabulated as

Less income security

Farmers get negative value for their efforts

MSP avg causes less/ negative value due to lack of productivity

42

Productivity techniques didnt reaches to them

Water scarcity

Increased input cost/personnel cost

Weak social bonding

So reaching them with productive techniques, assisting for marketing, directing for
right crop selection and management is quite necessary

Special appointment of 2 people/ taluka may help for increased effective assistance.
This kind of new approach will also help for effective counseling of farmers.

2. Crop rotation and biological diversity management:

Farmers produce or do crop planning with consideration to mini-mum support price or

market survey.

But, Msp affect most on the decision of farmers crop planning. It results in either
excess or deficient market availability for particular crop.

It greatly affects on the farmers income. And concludes to great loss to the

Assistance of a new software/ dedicated smart phone application will be utilized for
effective crop management of the state.

Respected person of government from village to divisional level will be delegated

with varied authorities and responsibilities.

3. Organic farming management:

The future will be of health revolution. The Indian farmers will great income security
through organic farming production.

Our politicians have greatly destroyed the agricultural system of 1000 years through
the introduction of green revolution policy in following.

But there is great absence of right guidance/resources at the root level of Maharashtra.

We need to reestablish the following cycle in reverse way.

43

Chart 3.1.4 Role of organic matter for the sustainability of soil

4. Extension services Management:

Government failing to deliver extension services effectively.
Its because,

Asymmetrical distribution of authority

Absence of dedicated manpower at the ground level

This all caused for percentage increase in number of farmer suicides. It also indirectly
relates with

Increased cost of cultivation,

Unable to get secured income,

Infertility of soil,
44

Increased loans and dues.

It concludes with need for reformation in agriculture extension services.

Additional agriculture commissioner

Director (Extension services management)

Div. director (Extension services management)

District coordinator/manager

Taluka coordinator/manager

Village coordinator
(Through mnrega)
Chart 3.1.5 Proposed mechanism for extension services management

5. Integrated system coordination management

At the implementation level, coordinating various stakeholders has a great importance.

It will help to strengthen bond with government structure, ngo, and private entities and
so on.

At the present, there is no such structure available for engagement.

Also he/she may delegate with task of planning and controlling task.

It will also helpful for coordinating with other stakeholders of society.

It will also helpful for coordinating with regular staff of agricultural department.

6. Complaint appraisal management

At present there is no such no special complaint addressal system which helps

farmers for surety to solve and consider their problems.

45

Today complexity of agriculture has risen to a great extent which reveals for the need
of special complaint addressal system which will also help effective performance
other government machinery.

E.g. complaints in the area like,

Connection of electricity,

Cheating in delivered quality of fertilizer, pesticides or apmc,

Supply of faulty equipment and machinery

Corruption in agricultural department and so on.

It may greatly helpful to address problems at their beginning only.

It will also help policy makers for right policy making. And will also help for
developing right controlling systems.

3.1.6.5 Agricultural extension bureau will help,

To achieve expected results,

To resolve administrative complexity,

To evenly distribute responsibilities in executable manner,

To reach zero farmer suicide state project in the shortest possible time,

To improve performance of government machinery,

To deliver administration effectively,

46

3.2 Application of project managements Tools and Techniques:

Respective chief project manager and other authorities can make utilize project
managements tools and techniques in the following.
Ten knowledge areas of the project management can be applied in the following way:

3.2.1 Project Risk management:

a. Integrated risk management:
It should be performed w.r.t. monsoon failure, artificial crisis from marketers, competition
from china and others, negative status of state soil health, negative agricultural growth,
and decreasing intellectual and labour resource of agriculture and so on.
b. Crop insurance delivery:
Despite of expected premium payment, farmers were not receiving appropriate payments
from the company. Its a great injustice with their loyalty for the nation. So a real time
implementation mechanism and software should be designed for effective implementation
of the same.
The real time required mechanism of chart can be considered for it.
c. Policies for scientific and commercially viable farming:

World greatly recognizing ancient Indias scientific way of farming. Many

researchers claim that it took more than thousand years to develop the same.

Its many times proved that, India specially the Maharashtra on the wrong way
farming. Its caused, excess use of chemical farming.

State soil health report published great negative context. It states that soil from
every part of Maharashtra is ill in nature. If not taken proper care then it will
create great complexities in future. And it may be possible that total farming (of
Maharashtra) can turn to Infertile in nature.

This can be also being seen from the example of Punjab where use of chemical
pesticides and all that turned towards a greater misery of Cancer train.

Agriculture minister declared a decision in this regard; they are planning to

prepare policy on organic farming. But it was just an announcement. Further
proceeding is at zero level.

47

As Future Scope lays with organic farming and health revolution so the structured
team assist organic policy planning and executing to save great expenditures on
import.

It can help to accelerate the growth of farming through healthy organic foods
export.

3.2.2 Project cost management:

a. Right policy for appropriate Minimum support price provision:
From the decades, farmers in the great problem of not having a safety income. This is
caused due to inappropriate considerations during MSP calculations. So at least the
planners should report the government with following suggestions.

Have a consideration for rising market prices of fertilizers, seeds, cow dung,

Increased labour charges from 160 to 300/500 Rs per day,

Increase the Number of labour days,

When farm owner or his/her family member works on field, then by law (of 2008),
charges for their hard work should be included with 125% to that of labour. Also
their incentives should be considered like a professional one (for 365 days).

For one hectare, only 13 workdays included for whole efforts of a pair of OX.
Whereas it will be appropriate to consider 60 days (expected on practical
grounds). Logically it should be considered with respect to crop cycle duration.
Because after the main function at farm, it has no work. So should consider as a
part of investment.

b. Right policy to save import expenditure on pulses, onion and other utilities:

Its claimed by an association that 2.5 Crores tonnes of pulses were imported and
just waiting, to enter market, at Mumbai port warehouses. It was banned up till 3
Nov15. Ban just removed on behalf of rising issue in media.

Whatever may be the condition it has millions for the same import despite of great
Indian agricultural capacity. And it didnt benefit with a single rupee to Indian
farmer.

So project manager with co-operation of respective intellectual should work for

crop promotion among distressed farmers of Maharashtra.

c. Cooperative farm equipment supply centre:

48

As per the recent survey 82% of the farmers classified under small farmer
category.

Small landholding is one of the main reasons for increased production cost.

Availability of agricultural equipment at the lowest rent can be greatly helpful.

Govt should plan to promote such initiative with the help of local self help group
or other interested individuals.

Appropriate policy w.r.t local reference will play a great role higher income of
farmers.

It can be taken under basic infrastructure policy.

3.2.3 Project Integration management:

a. Value chain Management:
In past, there has been greater focus over sugarcane and milk processing value chains. So it
needs to be extended further with respect to todays context.
I. Need to motivate and engage farmers for value chain:

Government quite positive about the same but failing to plan and implement.

Under the same, government can promote for low cost value chain initiatives
(like organic farming, various small and medium scale projects and so on). it
can plan to involve farmers as a shareholder

Can promote farmers to take participation within primary or secondary value

processing initiatives.

II. Effective execution of farmer producer company:

Effective in the sense, there should be a separate mechanism for management,
Its needed as it is quite different from the regular function of extension,
Many of the farmers dont know what to start? When to start? How to start?
And all the way.
Its need to reach with some of the best models in the same.

III. Promotional strategies for attracting investors:

Respective should prepare an integrated approach. It will help to minimize
future complications like we are facing about water scarcity due to excess use
of water from sugarcane crop farming.

49

 As Future Scope lies with organic farming and health revolution so the
structured team should focus on creating an excellent proposal.
They should have focus to attract Indian investors.

IV. Assistance to Complimentary businesses:

Need to show right path and opportunity.
It will help to increase their revenue
Products can be planned to sell under a single brand.

3.2.4 Project communication management:

a. Local Communication and Counseling:

Government should reach to every farmer of the sate to make one aware about
various initiatives of the government
E.g. recently government started Jal Yukta Shivar Abhiyan. It will very beneficial
with reference to water availability. Within 2 to 3 years it will definitely gain a
good amount of strength for dealing rain deficit issues. But the message in the
understandable form has yet not reached too many farmers in its initial inception.

Around 85% of farmer lacks the access to basic information related to agriculture
and its recent development.

It can help government for effective reach to every farmer.

Communicating recent important decisions for positive hope, like:

i. Changes in some parts of laws w.r.t apmc act,
ii. Efforts for creating National online apmc,
iii. Granted permission to indigenous breed in cotton,
iv. Initiation of competitive farming project,
v. Other commercial/beneficiary ways of doing farming,
vi. Various policies and their status of implementation,

b. Local learning and training centre:

Presence of huge communication gap is one of the main reasons behind farmers
suicide,

Government should think of creating learning center at village level,

At least, it will help them to deal with various complexities of farming effectively,

Establishment of practical demonstrations at rotational/Taluka level can be

executed,
50

Configuration of learning center can as follows:

i. Installation of LCD TV (of Rs.5 to 7.5 k) + speaker (of Rs. 300 to 500) + Pen
drive (up to Rs.300) can be considered for primary setup (of total Rs. 6 to 8 k).
ii. School spaces on every sat/sun or on every evening can be considered for
temporarily consideration.
iii. Cds and other materials can be made available at Rs. 2 to 10.

Way to Management:
i. A central state level management team can be established for the same.
ii. Co-ordination of local SHG and other interested individuals can be taken for
local management.
iii. Interested individuals can be selected for the same.
iv. A proper selection process can be engaged for the same.

c. Building communication network:

There is great absence of network within farmers specially the youngster and
woman one.

It will help to share knowledge, experiences, technologies, new ways/case studies

and so on among themselves.

It will help to get connect with each other.

Under the same special summits/conferences can be organized

Benefit:
i. Facilitation of this will help to create positive hope within farmers/rural
environment. It may significantly help in reducing rural distress.
ii. Also it may help to reduce communication gap with and within farmers.

d. Development of Smartphone Application, software and helpline:

It can have following objective,

i. To make avail total guidance on various crops,
ii. To make avail right way of farming,
iii. To educate farmers,
iv. To solve farmers quries,
v. To direct the right path of investment (for complementary businesses),

It will beneficial as,

51

i. To increase farmers productivity,

ii. To increase farmers profitability,
iii. To reduce rural disstress,
iv. To reduce farmers suicides
v. To increase governments accountability,.

e. Media co-operation:

Media rather than positive, highlights negative news about farming on front page.
Thus at the end of day, its more or the less delivered with negative part of the
problem.

It should plan for cooperation from media. It will help for positive message
delivery.

It can have agenda,

i. To have positive news (about farming) on first page,
ii. Publishing negative news after the 5th page of paper, if needed,
iii. If media collectively agrees for further co-operation then a 5cm*10cm or
10cm*15cm space (of front page) can be utilized for a special series,
iv. Special agenda can be designed for electronic media,

52

3.3 Special program management structure:

3.3.1 Need of special mechanism for effective delivery:

Water conservation used tobe executed at various levels by different departments such
as agriculture, water conservation, soil conservation, forest, social forestry and
irrigation. But there was no proper coordination between them. One department did
not know what the other department was doing

Every year the Maharashtra government doles out crores of rupees in aid to droughthit farmers in the state. But according to those at the ground level the solution is not
long-term, and is therefore proving counter-productive.

The state is facing one of its worst droughts with 24,000 of the 40,000 villages being
affected.

Adverse careless in past irrigation projects implementation resulted in more than 225
suicides in just 2.5 months i.e. 1st January to 2nd week of march 2015 and more than
12,000 suicides in last 2 decades.

To reach a permanent solution to this perennial problem, the state government, under
the Chief Ministers Transformation Committee, on Monday announced an allocation
of Rs 1,000 crores to permanently eradicate drought in Maharashtra.

This will be done through the Jalyukta Shivar Scheme, targeting 5,000 villages.

3.3.2 Experience of ineffective and corrupted system delivery:

The Maharashtra government was taken to task by the Comptroller and Auditor
General (CAG) of India for inordinate delays in completing irrigation projects, some
of them by as much 40 years, at a time when large swathes of the state are reeling
under the effects of a crippling drought.

The state government is already facing allegations of corruption in irrigation projects

that were sparked by 2013 economic survey, which said that land under irrigation in
the state increased just 0.1% between 2001 and 2011, despite Rs.15, 000 crores being
spent.
53

The delays in the implementation of projects resulted in cost overruns of Rs.26, 617
crores, the CAG said in its report presented in the legislature on the last day of the
budget session 2013.

Such an adverse careless to irrigation management lead serious affects on last 2

decades farming resulting more than 12 thousand farmers suicides in 1997-2015.

3.3.3 Solution approach by Government of Maharashtra:

Maharashtra government has decided to launch its ambitious Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan
(providing villages with permanent source of water) on Republic day and will initially
allocate Rs 1,000 crores for the scheme.

All the existing schemes of water conservation will be accumulated under this scheme
and it will attempt to end the drought situation in the state.

With many parts of Maharashtra still reeling under the drought, the state government
has launched the campaign to address the problem on a permanent basis.

Farmers are going through a difficult phase right now. Therefore, the government is
pushing for sustainable farming. This will be done through Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan
where various smaller schemes will be linked together in order to deal with water
problems, said chief minister DevendraFadnavis in Nagpur winter session.

Though the state has estimated a total expense of Rs 5,000 crores for the scheme, it
has currently allocated Rs 1,000 crores due to paucity of funds.

The ground water level in these Taluka has receded by 3-4 metres and over 19,000
villages have been facing drinking water scarcity.

3.3.4 Focus of scheme:

The focus of the schemes is to develop water sheds, improve ground water levels,
increase the area under irrigation, and increase green cover by planting more trees.

The scheme will help farmers improve moisture security and agriculture productivity
will be enhanced.
54

Government ensured that relief reaches 90 lakh farmers and as long term measures; it
has embarked on Jal Yukta Shivar Yojana to make 5000 villages free from drought
every year.

3.3.5 Current implementation system of Maharashtra Government:

According to an officer of the department, de-centralisation of water resources is the

main thrust of the Jalyukta Shivar scheme.

Under the scheme, committees have been formed at district, divisions and water
resource ministry levels.

The district-level committee will be chalking out plans for the Taluka after getting
feedback from villages through the gram Sabha and a comprehensive plan for the
district would be made.

This plan will be approved by the divisional committee, thereby paving the way for its
implementation.

At state level, nodal officers have been appointed to concern departments for effective
implementation of project

The CM office (War Room) will closely monitor the work.

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Chart 3.3.1 Graphical representation of current delivering mechanism:

Chief Minister Office (War

Room)

Water conservation ministry

Nodal Officers (10)

Divisional Committee

District Committee

Detail mechanism structure of the above is as follows:

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3.3.6 Drawbacks of current system and mechanism:

1. At state level: CMTO is build with an aim to monitor and control effective execution
of projects.But the drawback with it is,

A. Respective Chief authority: This includes principle secretaries, 4 osds i.e. officer
on special duties at CM Office and principal secretary of water resource department
have a huge regular responsibilities.
Also they need to monitor similar 12 mega special projects concerning important to
state. Where it is a natural fear to get some common treatment for the completion of
formalities. Here 2 OSDs are assigned with the responsibility to do regular check up
project. But I have seen they are too busy with their regular responsibilities. Which
absolutely not possible to get required results of respective timelines.

B. water resource or conservation department/ministry:

We have very bad experience in past implementation of some ambitious and important
projects from these respective ministries. Also non physical to rely on them for
effective implementation concerning to their huge regular responsibilities.So
government should rethink for another new chief authority for project implementation.

C. Nodal officers at minister level:

Deputy Secretary (not an IAS) is assigned with post of nodal officers. They are
belongs to various ministries concerning to water conservation policies and plans.

Deputy Secretary again has a huge load of regular responsibilities. And are aimed to
coordinate at needed point of project phase from state level.

It uses to be there earlier for past projects also so not have unique or of required
attention.

D. Divisional and district level management:

Officially committees have been formed at these levels for managing projects. But
required analysis with reference lessons learned from past has not considered.

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Member of committees observed to part of other multiple responsibilities where it

may cause to repeat above fear.

As I mentioned above, irrigation in the state increased just 0.1% between 2001 and
2011, despite Rs.15, 000 crores being spent.

The delays in the implementation of projects resulted in cost overruns of Rs.26, 617
crores, the CAG said in its report presented in the legislature on the last day of the
budget session 2013.

Such an adverse careless to irrigation management lead serious affects on last 2

decades farming resulting more than 12 thousand farmers suicides in 1997-2015.

So,
Considering to their regular huge responsibilities and past bad experience of
implementation, government need to rethink about its implementation strategy.

CMTO is replication of GTO (government transformation office), Malaysia which is

an effort of their research designed for their context.

But Im sure, government need to bring additional reformation considering

government system structure of Indian context. Because we have various complexities
regarding implementation of policies and plans.

3.3.7 Explanation of above proposed mechanism:

Authority to access resources of regular government can be given through

Project Charter.

It will help to turn functional structure of government to composite

organization.

Composite or strong matrix organization structure.

Lower hierarchy below district level can be same with previous governments
mechanism.

A. Chief project manager: He should be an IAS officer, selected through swot

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analysis and considering past performance.

Independent charge will be given for best performance and effective

management.

Whole state authority about Jal yukta shivar project can be transferred.

B. Add. chief project manager:

They can be 2 in number.

1st additional Project manager can be specially assigned for Vidharbh and
marathwada and

2nd add. Project manager for remaining Maharashtra.

C. Deputy project manager:

There will 6 posts in total.

Divisional authority about project can transferred to these respective.

These will have authority of divisional level.

Plan approved by the divisional committee, can be implemented under his

authority.

D. District project manager:

There can be 16 or 32 number.

These respective can assigned with charge of 1 or 2 districts.

These can be under or upper to district management.

3.3.8 Benefit of the special program structure:

It will help to,

To build a system based structure which ultimately reduces personified system

To establish special system for effective performance,

To engage resources effectively

To modernize system for complex problems of great importance

To achieve expected result.

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Chapter 4 Results and Discussions:

Respected chief authorities of government appraised and congratulated for the right and important
suggestion like integrated system management structure. One of the IAS officers recognized the
architecture of special program management structure concept with that of Pemandu model of
Malaysian government.
Also some of the recent steps from government of Maharashtra greatly matches with part of proposed
solution approaches. Some of them are as,

1. Government launched pilot project in Yavatmal and Osmanabad district of

Maharashtra. Officers of secretary level instructed for close monitoring at sub
divisional level. They have been delegated with special authority for effective
implementation and control,
2. Initiated a central monitoring body for Yavatmal district of Vidharbh. They formed a
special district level committee, under the head of Vnss chief, with a purpose for close
monitoring and controlling of the governments execution. Its formed with a clear
intention to keep watch with respect to reduce distress among farmers,
3. Picked Osmanabad, one of the worst-affected districts, for its zero suicide plan.
4. Started the process to deliver Soil health care policy,
5. Announcement of organic farming policy decision,
6. The proposed mechanism found much similar with caim project and CMTO Office
structure,
7. United Nations organization declared the year 2015 as International Year of Soil,
8. Recently appointment of Vnss chief. I proposed the same request in the submitted
report to the respective chief of Maharashtra.
The proposed solution approaches will also assist authorities in following regard,

1. To reach targeted results of state plan.

2. To reduce the project expenditure by 10 to 20%. As application of tools and
techniques of project management helps greatly for proactive care of various issues in
implementation.
3. To reduce probable delays in ground level work results.
4. To reduce futures immeasurable complexity (in farming)

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Chapter 5 Summery and Conclusion:

Though the revealing situations indicates something great positive but the real fact is very
different from the same. In my opinion its a black truth. I expressed it as,
a. For at least next 4 to 5 years we will not going to succeed to stop farmers suicide. As
from the decades everyone at policy making loved and nurtured the situation of
drought and infertility.
b. I found our Indian attitude is very wrong. We dont bother for our own responsibilities
sincerely. It can be seen from the performance of governments employees. He/she
can be anyone i.e. either a highly paid IAS or a lower positioned clerk/peon. So until
and unless the situation remains expected welfare of farmers will be not achieved.
c. The last important note of the investigation is getting together of society and farmers
is the only solution for expected welfare status of farmer.
Future Scope:
1. One has great scope in the preparation of additional value chain for the farming,
2. Request for replacing cow as a animal to Multi beneficiary national animal status (for
Indigenous breed cow),
3. Replacing Maharashtra governments promotion of exotic breed with genetically
improved indigenous breed of Gujarat.
4. Designing of Value chain farming model w.r.t. conservation of Indigenous breed,

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References:
1. Project Management Institute (2013), A Guide to the Project Management Body of
Knowledge, 5rd Edition, Newtown Square, PA: PMI, (p.3-45).
2. Best practices and lessons learned in projects management; IDU BDT.
3. System delivery articles in news on Dr.Shrikar pardeshi (IAS).
4. Training programs of PMI and FDP Sessions conducted at VJTI, Mumbai.
5. Project management for engineering, business and technology by John M. Nicholas
and Herman steyn published by routledge.
6. Dandekar, A.S. Nrawades, R. Rathod, R. Ingle, V. Kulkarni And Y. D. Sateppa
(2005), Causes of Farmers Suicides in Maharashtra: An Enquiry, Final Report
Submitted to the Mumbai High Court, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Rural
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