12 Latur Farmers Save ₹2.3 Lakh Through Collective Harvesting

Latur farmers save ₹2.3 lakh through collective soybean harvesting. At a time when drought concerns and rising agricultural labor costs are pressuring farmers, 12 cultivators from Kekat-Sindgi village have demonstrated the benefits of collective farming. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Farmers’ Group harvested soybeans across 54 acres using the traditional ijarik system, saving approximately ₹2.3 lakh in labor costs.

The initiative, inspired by Paani Foundation training, involved the farmers learning and implementing scientific farming practices and shared resources to reduce costs. They reduced expenditure on seeds, land preparation, and pest management while strengthening cooperation among farmers. The group's collective labor and scientific practices, guided by the agriculture department and the Paani Foundation, helped them avoid borrowing for agricultural operations, resulting in a profit that remains with them.