Beyond soil and water: The human economics of drought

Maharashtra's agrarian challenges extend beyond water scarcity and soil degradation. A new approach, the Farmer Health Capital Theory, emphasizes the human dimension of drought—addressing farmer welfare holistically through health, education, and livelihood security.

Integrating this theory into agricultural policy could provide a sustainable foundation for the state's farming sector. By prioritizing farmer well-being alongside conventional resource management, policymakers can create resilient rural economies better equipped to withstand climatic and economic shocks.

This framework offers a path to future-proof Maharashtra's agriculture by treating farmers as the central asset in drought mitigation and long-term agrarian stability.