Ladki Bahin Scheme Boosts Women's Income, but Farmers Struggle

The Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin scheme, a welfare initiative aimed at supporting women from low-income families, is causing unintended difficulties for farmers. Under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (MMLBY), women aged 21 to 65 from families earning below Rs 2.5 lakh annually receive Rs 1,500 per month. Launched just months before state elections, the scheme is proving to be a lifeline for women like Yashoda Gavit, an agricultural laborer in Latur.

Gavit, who has secured farm work through December, appreciates the additional income that the scheme provides. However, the scheme has created challenges for farmers who are struggling to find laborers for harvesting and planting. The availability of easy financial assistance has prompted many women to reconsider physically demanding farm jobs, creating a labor shortage during critical agricultural seasons.

Farmers in districts like Latur and Dharashiv are now facing increased difficulty in securing enough labor, particularly for the upcoming sugarcane planting season. With the kharif harvest in full swing, many farmers are concerned that they won’t be able to complete their planting tasks on time.

While the scheme is beneficial for women, its timing has led to speculation that it is a strategic move ahead of the elections, rather than a well-thought-out solution for long-term economic empowerment. Some experts argue that the government should complement such welfare initiatives with support for farmers to ensure that the agricultural sector does not suffer.

The Ladki Bahin scheme, while commendable in its goals, highlights the complexity of balancing welfare programs with the needs of other sectors, particularly agriculture, in rural Maharashtra.