Maharashtra's Marathwada has become almost synonymous with farmers' suicides in India. Recurring droughts and crop failures aided by poor support from financial institutions has led to thousands of deaths in the rural areas.
The misery of Marathwada highlights the threats associated with desertification.
A news report by United Nations has noted that drought, intensified by climate change and unsustainable land practices, has surged by nearly 30 per cent in frequency and intensity since 2000.
This has led to desertification of otherwise fertile areas and threatens agriculture, water security and the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people, with the poorest nations bearing the worst brunt.