The Mumbai and Pune city regions form a corridor of capital investment, growth and enhanced infrastructure. Maharashtra is India’s focus for urbanization and economic growth, moreover its growing middle class is demanding high value food products. These factors, along with reduced state support, are causing profound transformations in the lives of agricultural communities.

A reservoir gate near Vangani, Dist. Thane. Maharashtra has a very high number of dams (large and small) all over the state. This is vital for irrigation as the arid climate all year round is only broken by 2-3 months of rain during the summer monsoon season. Tapping water for the rest of the year remains singly the most important determinant in agricultural success. Access to irrigation water is unevenly available, and consequently so is the distribution to farming livelihoods.

Tractors are widely used in farming in Satara district. The tractor represents a major investment, they are an…