WARDHA

Wardha’s economy is primarily agrarian, with a significant portion of the workforce engaged in cotton farming, soybean cultivation, and horticulture. According to the Maharashtra Economic Survey (2023), around 60% of the district’s population depends on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. Wardha’s cotton industry often supports ginning, pressing, and textile mills, providing employment to thousands of workers.

Apart from agriculture, handloom weaving, bidi rolling, and small-scale agro-processing units form a major part of the local economy. The handloom industry in Samudrapur has gained prominence for producing traditional fabrics, while bidi-making in Hinganghat provides income to a significant number of workers. The service sector, including education, healthcare, and trade, is also expanding in urban areas like Wardha city.

Employment in Wardha fluctuates with agricultural seasons, leading to seasonal job insecurity. As per the Maharashtra State Migration Report (2022), labor demand peaks during the kharif season (June to October) when farmers cultivate cotton, jowar, and soybeans. The rabi season (November to March) sees workers engaged in wheat, pulses, and oilseeds production.

Due to unpredictable monsoons and declining cotton prices, many landless laborers migrate to cities like Nagpur, Pune, and Mumbai for alternative employment in construction and domestic work. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has attempted to address seasonal unemployment, but low wages and irregular payments limit its effectiveness.

Labor unions in Wardha primarily represent agriculture, bidi manufacturing, and textile workers. The Wardha Bidi Workers’ Union has been actively advocating for fair wages, healthcare, and improved working conditions for bidi rollers, most of whom are women.

The Vidarbha Textile Workers’ Union has been working towards protecting the rights of handloom weavers, demanding better wages and government support for traditional crafts. The Construction Workers’ Federation of India (CWFI) also plays a role in advocating for migrant laborers working in the construction sector. While unions have helped secure better social security benefits, casual laborers and contract workers remain largely excluded from formal labor protections.

Wardha has several technical and vocational institutions that cater to engineering, agriculture, and industrial training. According to the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET, 2023), key institutions include:

• Ramkrishna Bajaj College of Agriculture, which trains students in modern farming techniques and agribusiness.
• Government Polytechnic, Wardha, offers diploma courses in civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
• ITI Hinganghat, which provides skill training in welding, carpentry, and textile weaving.

As agriculture and textiles dominate the local economy, courses in agribusiness, organic farming, and textile technology are in high demand.