In a progressive move, the Maharashtra government has allocated Rs 4 crore to facilitate study tours abroad for farmers during the 2026-27 period.
The state govt has officially declared 305 out of 358 talukas (over 85% of the state) as drought-affected. The state’s cumulative debt burden is projected at Rs 9.3 lakh crore for the 2025–26 financial year, with estimates pointing toward Rs 11.02 lakh crore for 2026–27 according to state economic surveys.
In 2025, state govt doubled the spending limit per farmer under the scheme from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. The subsidy had been raised in 2011 to 50% of the travel expenses incurred by a farmer for an overseas trip, subject to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh per farmer, according to a Government Resolution.
The scheme has been in operation since 2004-05,” an official said.
Officials said the detailed itinerary, including the countries to be visited, will be finalised soon. The move comes days after the opposition, led by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, criticised the govt over an alleged Rs 5cr official trip to London. That saw CM Fadnavis and minister Uday Samant cancelling their UK visit for the City Quantum & AI Summit, citing drought. But a team led by principal secretary (industries) P Anbalagan went. It is intended to help farmers apply these practices on their own farms. The visits also provide information about agricultural technologies and related developments in different countries, while enhancing farmers’ knowledge and capacity through direct interaction with their counterparts abroad, field visits, and visits to relevant institutions.