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Maharashtra Kharif Sowing Reaches 95%, Marathwada Drought Concerns Grow
Farmers in Maharashtra have planted most of the crops they usually grow during the rainy season.
They planted crops on 1.36 crore hectares, or about 95% of the normal area.
This is less than the average because June was dry and August had very little rain.
Some areas, such as Pune, planted as much as or more than usual.
Other areas, especially Konkan and Marathwada, planted much less.
In Marathwada, some crops are starting to dry because there is not enough water.
Farmers are worried that crops could be badly damaged if rain does not return within a week.
The state cabinet will discuss water supplies and possible help for farmers and animals.
Maharashtra sowed 1.36 crore hectares of Kharif crops by August 31 for the 2026-27 season, reaching 95% of its five-year average.
The total is about eight lakh hectares below the five-year average and below last year’s 1.42 crore hectares.
Dry June conditions and a largely rainless August created major regional differences, especially in Marathwada and Konkan.
Pune division exceeded its average, while Konkan recorded the state’s lowest coverage at 83%, with Raigad at 67%.
A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will review drought concerns, reservoir levels and relief measures.
- Who
- Farmers in Maharashtra, the State Agriculture Department, and the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- What
- Kharif sowing reached 1.36 crore hectares, while dry conditions raised concerns about crop losses and a drought-like situation in Marathwada.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, with the most serious shortfalls reported in Marathwada and Konkan.
- When
- The sowing figures were recorded as of August 31 for the 2026-27 season; the cabinet review is scheduled for Tuesday.
- Why
- Deficit rainfall, a dry June and a prolonged dry spell in August reduced sowing and caused water scarcity.
Farmers’ Concerns
Government Data and Response
Crop prospects
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers in Marathwada fear widespread crop losses and say crops are beginning to wither because of water scarcity if rain does not resume within a week.
Government Data and Response
The Agriculture Department reports that overall sowing reached 95% of the state’s five-year average, although it acknowledges major district-level disparities.
Extent of the problem
Farmers’ Concerns
The dry August has created concern about an emerging drought-like situation, particularly in Marathwada.
Government Data and Response
Some divisions and districts performed at or above average, including Pune division at 101%, Gondia at 113% and Solapur at 104%.
Next steps
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers’ concerns center on the need for renewed rainfall and protection against crop and livestock losses.
Government Data and Response
The state cabinet is set to review reservoir levels in more than 3,000 irrigation reservoirs and consider relief measures, including fodder availability.
Key facts
- Sown area
- 1.36 crore hectares as of August 31
- Share of average area
- 95% of the five-year average
- Five-year average
- 1.44 crore hectares for 2019-20 to 2023-24
- Year-on-year comparison
- Last year’s coverage was 1.42 crore hectares as of August 29
- Highest district coverage
- Gondia reached 113% of its average sowing area
- Lowest district coverage
- Raigad reached 67% of its average sowing area
- Lowest regional coverage
- Konkan recorded 83% coverage, or 3.23 lakh hectares
- Review agenda
- Reservoir levels, Marathwada’s drought-like conditions, relief measures and fodder availability
Sources
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