Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Central Team Surveys Maharashtra Drought Damage as Farmers Seek Relief
A team of government officials visited farms in Maharashtra to see how drought had damaged crops.
In Demni, they inspected a soybean field where more than one hectare of crop was reportedly lost.
Farmers said they had spent a lot of money growing crops but lost their harvest when rain did not come.
They asked the government for quick payments, including up to ₹60,000 per acre.
Some also asked for help with crop-insurance claims that had not been paid.
Farmers in Beed district called for projects to store and conserve water.
Officials said they would assess the damage and prepare a report before decisions on relief.
Maharashtra also began checking drought conditions in 18 more talukas.
A central team led by Muktanand Agrawal began assessing drought-damaged farms in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district and visited Demni.
The team inspected Vilas Shinde’s soybean field, where more than one hectare of crop was reportedly destroyed.
Farmers said they had lost their harvest after investing about ₹50,000–₹60,000 per acre and sought prompt compensation.
Farmers also called for unpaid crop-insurance claims and water-conservation measures; one report said some claims had been pending for two years.
The team planned inspections over three to four days and a report; Maharashtra also approved drought verification in 18 additional talukas.
- Who
- A central government team led by Muktanand Agrawal, Maharashtra officials, and affected farmers.
- What
- The team inspected drought-related crop damage and heard farmers' requests for financial relief and water measures.
- When
- The inspection began on Thursday morning; the team expected to continue visits for three to four days. The date is not specified.
- Where
- Demni in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, with further visits reported in Beed district.
- Why
- To assess drought damage and help authorities determine appropriate relief measures.
Farmers' requests
Authorities' assessment
Timing and amount of financial relief
Farmers' requests
Farmers urged authorities to release assistance quickly, with requests ranging from a minimum of ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per acre.
Authorities' assessment
Officials said assistance would be considered after an objective assessment of crop damage and preparation of a relief plan.
Long-term water measures
Farmers' requests
Farmers called for check dams, desilting, groundwater recharge, dams, and barrages to support future farming.
Authorities' assessment
The reports describe the team's damage assessment and relief planning but do not state an official response to these specific requests.
- Team leader
- Muktanand Agrawal, Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Reported crop loss
- Vilas Shinde's soybean crop across more than one hectare in Demni was reportedly destroyed.
- Farmers' reported investment
- About ₹50,000–₹60,000 per acre
- Compensation requested
- Farmers sought assistance of up to ₹60,000 per acre; another farmer requested a minimum of ₹50,000 per acre.
- Crop insurance
- One report said some crop-insurance claims had remained unpaid for two years.
- Inspection timeline
- The team expected to visit several locations over three to four days and then submit a report.
- Expanded verification
- Maharashtra approved ground verification of drought severity in 18 additional talukas.
- State drought declaration
- A report said Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of 358 talukas on September 26.
