Enhancing Farming Systems in Vulnerable Regions of Maharashtra, India: Evaluating Innovation Bundles for Sustainable Intensification

This study examines the design and evaluation of socio-technical innovation bundles for rainfed mixed farming systems in Latur district, Maharashtra. The region faces severe challenges including water scarcity, land degradation, low soil organic carbon, and limited access to technologies and markets. Using an integrated assessment approach combining Land Resource Inventory, hydrological assessment, and Multi-dimensional Sustainability Assessment Tool (MSAT), we developed contextualized intervention bundles at both landscape and household levels. Results show significant improvements across multiple dimensions: crop yields increased by 25-45%, groundwater levels rose by 4 meters, and household net returns improved by 14-40% depending on farm type. The interventions enhanced agro-biodiversity, reduced women's drudgery, improved food security, and increased milk production by 10-25%. The study demonstrates that water deficit challenges can be addressed by shifting from sugarcane to soybean-chickpea systems or sapota with micro-irrigation. This systems science approach provides a framework for large-scale transformation of dryland farming systems in vulnerable regions.