Climate counsel: These farmers in Maharashtra protect each other’s crops from extreme weather; here is how

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The network of some 2,000 farmer-members uses social media platforms such as a Facebook page, WhatsApp groups, a Youtube channel, and in-person gatherings to share localised weather warnings based on observation.

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“My village falls in a drought-prone region. All my life, I had cultivated horticulture crops. However, since 2005 I have realised that the water levels in wells and percolation tanks are on a decline; the rainfall pattern too has changed. To combat this shortage, I moved away from horticulture and started cultivating crops like green gram, pearl millet, soya and french beans, which require less water. I shared my learnings with other farmers,” he says.

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The members also work on gauging market prices and developing seed varieties. “I received training from the government and began developing seeds 20 years ago. I have developed seeds for onion, soya and wheat which I share with members of the group,” says farmer Manish Kumbhekar from Wagholi village in Ahmednagar.

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