Forecasting Drought: In Parched Marathwada Villages, Women Are Building Early Warning Systems
A group of 10 grassroots women farmers associated with Swayam Shikshan Prayog prepared early warning drought system using traditional knowledge and their work was mentioned in the article “Forecasting Drought: In Parched Marathwada Villages, Women Are Building Early Warning Systems”by BehanBox.
The article speaks about how drought is a constant threat in Marathwada, Maharashtra, and it impacts women the most. As primary caregivers and water collectors, they suffer when water sources dry up—walking long distances, managing food shortages, and dealing with crop failures. To address this, Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) has been empowering women as climate leaders, training them in low-cost, sustainable farming and guiding them to create early warning systems for droughts.
The team of 10 women from Dharashiv, Tuljapur, and Lohara talukas—Shailaja Bhosale, Rupali Dhekare, Sanjeevani Hajare, Kavita Popat Pawar, Pooja Chougule, Rohini Barve, Rajshree Mane, Usha Jadhav, Farzana Beg, and Jayshree Mali— researched about drought patterns using indigenous knowledge passed down through generations. These women collated traditional indicators, such as birds nesting lower in trees or rodents storing excess grain, which are believed to signal an approaching drought. They collected and analyzed this data, then held group discussions with other women to plan adaptive strategies for both farming and daily life.
Their goal is not only to predict droughts but to help their communities prepare and adapt. With SSP’s support, these women have become key change-makers—developing early warning systems, spreading sustainable methods, and practicing profitable farming even in harsh, water-scarce conditions. Over 500 villages in Marathwada, that was once known for drought related tragedies, have become more resilient, reducing crop loss, migration, and the burden on women.
Thank You to Behan Box and Priyanka Tupe for publishing our work. We are grateful for the recognition.
To read the full article, visit this link below
https://behanbox.com/2025/05/07/forecasting-drought-in-parched-marathwada-villages-women-are-building-early-warning-systems/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLQuexleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETEwMm9Dc25PZGU4bXhFbThzAR4qhoGF_MiNeMHF5x-yUUWSYucL6eHXxaoJvgLsSssG4UpFETj7ZvkvuZiI7Q_aem_uqx-arxZG5aRmodi8BLb-g
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
13th May, 2025