Fresh crop loss assessments underway
The Maharashtra government has disbursed Rs. 128.65 crore in financial assistance to farmers affected by unseasonal rains between October and December 2025, benefiting over 180,000 farmers, the state Cabinet was informed in a बैठक chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
During the October–December period, unseasonal rainfall damaged approximately 114,752 hectares of agricultural land, impacting 180,574 farmers across the state. The affected districts included Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Jalgaon, Nashik, Raigad, and Sindhudurg.
The impact of erratic weather persisted into early 2026. Between January and March, fresh crop losses were reported across 145,606 hectares, affecting 233,890 farmers. Key crops damaged included banana, onion, papaya, mango, grapes, wheat, chickpea, and sorghum. The worst-hit districts during this phase were Latur, Solapur, Nashik, Satara, Nandurbar, Yavatmal, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Buldhana, and Beed.
The adverse weather events also led to five fatalities, nine injuries, and the loss of 36 livestock, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Preliminary estimates for April 2026 indicate further damage to crops across 122,993 hectares, affecting nearly 194,329 farmers. Authorities have initiated detailed field assessments (crop loss surveys) for damages reported since January.
Meanwhile, the state’s Water Resources Department reported significant progress in irrigation infrastructure. Since July 2022, a total of 41 projects have been completed, creating a water storage capacity of approximately 105 TMC and adding irrigation potential for nearly 295,000 hectares.
Additionally, 225 projects have received revised and administrative approvals, with a total estimated investment of Rs. 4.35 lakh crore. Once completed, these projects are expected to generate irrigation capacity for 3.345 million hectares, further strengthening Maharashtra’s agricultural resilience.
The government’s dual focus on immediate relief and long-term irrigation expansion is seen as critical in mitigating the growing impact of climate variability on the state’s farming sector.
