Economic Analysis of Agricultural Sustainability in Western Maharashtra, India: A District Wise Study
R. V. Shedge
*
Department of Agricultural Economics, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India.
Y. R. Nikam
Department of Agricultural Economics, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India.
R. A. Patil
Department of Agricultural Economics, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To study the sustainability of Western Maharashtra region in order to know the suitability of the region for agriculture.
Place and Duration of the Study: The present study assesses the agricultural sustainability of western Maharashtra using the Sustainable Livelihood Security Index (SLSI), a composite measure integrating ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. The SLSI was computed for ten districts—Ahmednagar, Pune, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar—for the years 1961, 1981, 2001, and 2021.
Methodology: The methodology involved constructing three sub-indices: The Ecological Security Index (ESI), Economic Efficiency Index (EEI), and Social Equity Index (SEI), each derived from standardized district-level indicators. These included variables such as population pressure, forest area, cropping intensity, crop yield, irrigation, literacy, sex ratio, and health infrastructure.
Results: Results revealed a gradual improvement in regional agricultural sustainability, with the overall SLSI increasing from 0.3729 in 1961 to 0.4833 in 2021, reflecting progress in ecological management, economic productivity, and social welfare. However, significant inter-district disparities were observed. Satara district maintained the highest sustainability levels up to 2001 (maximum SLSI = 0.6161) but showed a declining trend thereafter (0.5223 in 2021). In contrast, Pune rose to the top position in 2021 (0.5519), supported by strong economic and social indicators despite poor ecological security. Districts like Nashik, Sangli, Jalgaon, and Nandurbar exhibited steady progress, while Dhule and Ahmednagar lagged due to low economic efficiency and persistent social inequalities.
Conclusion: At the component level, ecological conditions fluctuated across decades, economic efficiency improved steadily, and social equity showed consistent upward trends. The findings highlight that while agricultural sustainability in western Maharashtra has improved overall, regional imbalances persist. Strengthening ecological resilience, enhancing farm productivity, and promoting social inclusion through district-specific strategies are essential to achieving balanced and sustainable agricultural development in the region.
Keywords: Sustainability, equity, efficiency, security