Relevance for UPSC: GS III (Agriculture, Inclusive Growth); Source: The Hindu

Context

An initiative in Beed district led by Global Vikas Trust demonstrates how crop diversification, water stewardship, and institutional support can substantially raise farm incomes in drought-prone regions.

What Worked

• Shift from low-value crops (soybean, cotton) to high-value fruits (papaya, guava, pomegranate).
• Krishikul centres provided scientific training (high-density planting), quality saplings, and continuous handholding.
• Water interventions (farm ponds, check dams, recharge shafts) improved groundwater.
• Risk finance via First Loss Default Guarantee enabled bank credit.
• Outcomes independently assessed by Tata Institute of Social Sciences showed >10× per-acre income gains.

Conclusion

Beed shows that income growth comes from value chains and trust, not subsidies alone—scalable with market access and state support.