SWOT ANALYSIS OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT

         Based on prevailing agro-ecological situations, socio-economic status, livestock and other related factors about agriculture and allied enterprises, KVK has made SWOT analysis of Ahmednagar district. The SWOT tool indicates the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

Strengths

Highest geographical area of 17.00-lakh hectare

Fertile soils with different types of soil

Well irrigation facility (30 per cent) of the total cultivable area

Multiple cropping systems

Higher educational and literacy level (more than 60 per cent)

Hand working farming community

High aspiration towards adoption of new technologies

Well-developed co-operative sector

Well-established communication system

High cosmopolite nature of the farming community

Well leadership in agriculture

High potential for agro and agro based enterprise

Weaknesses

»      Maximum parts of district comes under drought prone area

»     Unassured irrigation in canal command area

»     Uneven distribution of rainfall

»     Fragmented land holding

»     Increase in area under saline alkaline soils.

»     High cost of production

»     Increasing rate of degradation in natural resources

»     Uncertainty in crop production due to different natural calamities

»     More gender divide in social set up resulting in poor participation of women

»     Less skill of entrepreneurship among rural youths related to agricultural and allied enterprises

»     High pressure of traditional folkways and norms among the farmwomen

»     Less knowledge about post harvest handling of agriculture produce

»     Low yield and productivity of crops and livestock

»     Unorganized farming community

Opportunities

Ample scope for utilization of raw material to promote agro based industries in rural youth

Formulation of enterprise and commoditiwise groups

Establishment of credit mobilization based on SHG

Diversification in agriculture and other enterprises

Market driven extension to improve yield and quality of various commodities based on customer needs

Farmers driven research and extension through groups

Use of information technology

Communication for environment friendly technologies and concepts

Enhance application of user-friendly biotechnological options

Threats