Vaibhav Maske, a farmer, carries water in a vessel at his farm outside Beed, India, Friday, May 3, 2024. Maske said local and federal governments need to prioritize providing a water source for farming. A farmer walks on a lake that has dried up due to drought outside Beed, India, Saturday, May 4, 2024. Vaibhav Maske, a farmer, inspects his dry water tank next to a borewell on his farm outside Beed, India, Friday, May 3, 2024.
Vaibhav Maske’s millet farm was dry to the bone in early May, even though he dug three borewells 600 feet deep looking for water. Since February 2019, a federal government scheme transfers $70 to around 100 million farmers a year to supplement their income. But Maske said it’s of little use as farm expenses like water, fertilizers and farm gear now cost him up to $180 a month.
Still, the boycott was called off at the last minute after the regional government said it would address the issues post-election.