Wardha district is located in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state having a geographical area of 6,309 sq km and population of 1.3 million of which 67.5 per cent live in rural areas. The percentage of population living in rural areas in Wardha District is higher than the average of 55 per cent for the state as a whole. The district has a predominantly agrarian economy with 68 per cent of the workers being classified as cultivators and agricultural labourers (GoI 2011). The total cultivable area of the district is 4729 sq km, which is about 75 per cent of the total geographical area of the district (GoM 2006). Further, three-fifths of the cultivated area is with small farmers while two-fifths are with medium and large farmers. Wardha district forms a part of Wardha river basin. The agro-climate of the district is
characterised by hot, dry, and sub-humid climate with dry summers and mild winters. Kharif has always been the most important season with regard to area under cultivation. The kharif season begins in mid-June with the onset of the monsoon and extends upto December depending on the type of crop sown. The rabi season commences in October and extends upto February or March.