Panaji: While the rising number of farmer suicides in Maharashtra continues to be a major concern for the agrarian economy, experts working in Rajasthan believe that adopting the “Marwadi mentality” could help tackle the crisis.
Dr. S. P. S. Tanwar, Director of ICAR–Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), said during a media interaction organised by the Press Information Bureau that despite Rajasthan’s harsh climatic conditions and low rainfall, not a single farmer in the region has committed suicide due to agricultural distress.
He explained that the arid lands of Rajasthan receive only 200 mm to 600 mm of rainfall annually, yet people in the region deeply understand the value of water and have developed various rainwater harvesting techniques to sustain their livelihood.
Tanwar contrasted this with states like Maharashtra, which receive adequate rainfall but still report farmer suicides due to crop failures and financial burdens.
In a lighter vein, Dr. Tanwar, who himself hails from a Marwadi background, attributed this resilience to what he termed the “Marwadi mentality” — a cautious approach that emphasises saving, spending wisely, and investing prudently.
He said, “While farmers in Maharashtra tend to take bigger risks and invest heavily in anticipation of bumper yields, Rajasthani farmers work within their means. They believe in investing money only after earning it, not in anticipation of future profits.”
Dr. Tanwar also credited Maharashtra for pioneering rainwater harvesting practices, which Rajasthan later adopted and refined to suit its own dry environment.
He further emphasised the need to make farmers aware of the ground realities of agriculture instead of the misleading narratives often portrayed on social media, where farming is glamorised as a highly profitable venture.
Highlighting the importance of diversification in agriculture, Tanwar said that farmers must diversify their sources of income to reduce the economic risks associated with failed crops.
