PARBHANI

Parbhani’s economy is primarily agrarian, with a large portion of the workforce engaged in farming and allied activities. According to the Maharashtra Economic Survey (2023), around 70% of the district’s workforce is dependent on agriculture, mainly cultivating tur (pigeon pea), soybean, jowar, bajra, cotton, and sugarcane. Livestock farming, particularly dairy and poultry farming, also plays a significant role in employment. Apart from agriculture, agro-processing industries, textile mills, and sugar factories provide jobs in urban and semi-urban areas. Parbhani’s cotton ginning and pressing industries are crucial for employment, especially in towns like Gangakhed and Jintur. The service sector, including education, trade, and healthcare, is growing in Parbhani city and nearby towns.

Employment in Parbhani fluctuates with agricultural seasons, leading to job insecurity for many landless laborers. The Maharashtra State Migration Report (2022) highlights that labor demand peaks during the kharif season (June to October) when farmers cultivate cotton, tur, and soybeans. During the rabi season (November to March), work shifts to wheat, chickpeas, and horticulture crops.

Due to irregular monsoons and declining crop prices, many agricultural laborers migrate to Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik for jobs in construction, brick kilns, and domestic work. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has been providing seasonal employment, but low wages and inconsistent implementation limit its impact.

Labor unions in Parbhani primarily represent agricultural workers, bidi makers, and textile industry workers. The Parbhani Bidi Workers’ Union has been advocating for better wages and social security benefits for bidi rollers, most of whom are women.

The Maharashtra Sugarcane Workers’ Union has been active in demanding fair wages and improved working conditions for sugarcane laborers, especially those working in sugar mills in Gangakhed and Pathri. The Construction Workers’ Federation of India (CWFI) also plays a role in securing labor rights for migrant construction workers.

While unions have helped improve wages and working conditions, many informal sector workers remain unorganized, making them vulnerable to exploitation and job insecurity.

• Parbhani has several technical and vocational institutions offering education in engineering, agriculture, and skill development. According to the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET, 2023), major institutions include:
• Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University (VNMKV), a leading agricultural university offering courses in agronomy, animal husbandry, and agribusiness management.
• Government Polytechnic, Parbhani, provides diploma courses in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.

ITI Parbhani, which offers vocational training in plumbing, welding, and textile weaving, caters to the needs of local industries.

As agriculture and agro-industries dominate Parbhani’s economy, courses in modern farming techniques, food processing, and rural entrepreneurship are in high demand.