Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Expands Crop Damage Surveys, Opens Aid For More Farmers
Maharashtra is checking more areas for damaged crops.
Officials will look at smaller areas called revenue circles, not just whole talukas.
This may help farmers receive support even if their entire taluka was not declared drought-affected.
So far, 265 of the state’s 358 talukas have been declared drought-affected.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said rainfall was heavy early in the monsoon and then stopped for two months.
A Cabinet sub-committee will study individual cases and recommend assistance.
Farmers should be told what officials record during crop-loss inspections.
The government also said drinking water and water for animals should come before other uses.
Maharashtra will assess crop damage at the revenue circle level, not only by taluka.
The wider review could help farmers outside the existing drought-affected list receive financial assistance.
The government has declared 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas drought-affected under current criteria.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said unusual rainfall patterns caused losses in areas that missed the prescribed thresholds.
The government will prioritize drinking water and livestock needs, while reviewing crop assessments and drought-mitigation work.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the drought relief Cabinet sub-committee, and affected farmers.
- What
- The government expanded crop-damage assessments to the revenue circle level and created a process to consider assistance for additional farmers.
- When
- The decision was announced after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including areas outside the 265 talukas already declared drought-affected.
- Why
- Erratic rainfall caused substantial crop losses in some areas that did not meet the prescribed drought criteria.
- Talukas declared drought-affected
- 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas
- Expanded assessment area
- Revenue circle level, also referred to as the mandal level
- Rainfall pattern
- Heavy rainfall during the first two months of the monsoon, followed by no rain for two months
- Review body
- The drought relief Cabinet sub-committee will examine individual talukas and submit proposals
- Crop-loss inspections
- Farmers are to be informed about details recorded in panchnamas
- Water priority
- Drinking water, including water for livestock, will come before other requirements
- Additional directions
- District planning committees were asked to take up more drought-mitigation works