India, April 9 -- Growers grapple with financial burden as water tankers become only lifeline for citrus trees

The scarcity of water in Maharashtra has dealt a death blow to once-vibrant sweet lime orchards of Marathwada region. Farmers in the regions are filled with bitter despair as they are forced to abandon their crops due to the unrelenting drought conditions gripping the region.

Maharashtra is one of the largest producers of sweet limes in India. These orchards have long been the lifeblood of countless families, their verdant canopy standing as a testament to years of toil and tradition.

Between 2012 and 2016, the Marathwada region consecutively faced drought or drought-like situations. In November 2018, the state government also...