In India, almost 52 per cent of the labour force is employed in the agricultural sector, yet the sector contribution to the national GDP is only 17 per cent. This discrepancy is on account of a neglected policy for agriculture and farming communities continue to suffer due to lack of agricultural modernisation, ecological degradation and rural indebtedness. Farmer suicides and food prices have been on the rise in India since the last few years. The condition of farmers in the semi-arid region of Bundelkhand in Central India is deplorable. There have been around 5000 farmer suicides in this ravine rich and dacoit­infested region in the last five years. The need for developing the agriculture sector cannot be ignored as it is the primary source of livelihood in the region. The low levels of awareness, accessibility and policy neglect have a catastrophic impact on the lives of farmers in the region. The current practices are resource-inefficient, obsolete and poor in quality. Climate change is another factor to be considered in the region.