Maharashtra declares 265 of 358 talukas drought-hit, announces farm: The wider industry impact

In light of severe rainfall shortages, the Maharashtra government has officially identified two-third of the state as drought-affected. (Representative image)

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Saturday declared 265 of the 358 talukas in the state as drought-affected and announced relief measures, including restructuring of crop loans, concession in land revenue and deferment of recovery of agriculture-related loans.

The declaration covers 74% of the state, according to a government resolution issued late on Friday. The state government has activated ‘Trigger-1’ under its manual for drought management 2016 (updated in 2020) and Drought Management Code to declare drought conditions and initiate relief. Trigger-1 is the first stage in the state’s drought framework and is activated by a rainfall deficit of more than 25% combined with a prolonged dry spell of 21 days. The GR stated that electricity bills of agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower had already been waived, and the newly announced concession would apply to pumps above that capacity in the affected areas. A government order on Saturday said a separate GR will be issued on financial assistance for crop losses suffered by farmers in the 265 drought-affected talukas after completion of the prescribed procedure. As per government data, the state recorded an 18.8% rainfall deficit, receiving actual rainfall of 755.9 mm from June to September 18, compared to its average of 932.3 mm, amid the El Niño phenomenon. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division recorded 424.5 mm rainfall against the normal expected rainfall of 613.1 mm from June 1 to September 18, marking a deficit of 30.8%, according to state government data. The Pune and Nashik divisions also recorded around a 30% rain deficit, while the Amravati and Nagpur divisions recorded a 27% rain deficit. The Konkan division recorded a 6.3% rain deficit. At least six districts recorded a rainfall deficit of 40-50%, including Amravati, Solapur and Latur. On September 16, farmers in many districts held protests, seeking drought relief measures and compensation for crop loss. (With inputs from PTI) You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.

A report submitted by the agriculture commissioner found drought-like conditions in the 265 talukas across 32 districts due to rainfall deficit and other factors since June. Farmers in several districts have complained of crop failure due to lack of rainfall, and the incidence of pests and diseases has also increased. The government has announced a slew of relief measures, including land revenue concessions, restructuring of crop loans, postponement of recovery of agriculture-related loans and concessions in electricity bills of agricultural pumps.

The decision follows chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s recent visit to some drought-affected parts of the state. Most of the drought-affected talukas are in Solapur, Ahilyanagar, Nashik, Latur, Beed, Buldhana, Amravati, Yavatmal, Nagpur and Chandrapur. The government has directed district collectors to begin crop-loss assessments in the affected talukas and collect photographs and GPS coordinates of the surveyed areas to document crop conditions. The reports are to be submitted to the government through the agriculture commissioner. The measures also include waiver of examination fees for school and college students, relaxation of norms under the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to enable maximum works, deployment of water tankers wherever necessary and ensuring uninterrupted power supply to agricultural pumps in villages affected by water scarcity. Arrangements will also be made to ensure foodgrains for farmers and labourers dependent on agriculture, and adequate fodder for livestock. Water conservation works and arrangements for drinking water for people and livestock will also be undertaken, the government stated. Dharashiv and five other districts in Marathwada fall under the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division. During the Kharif season, farmers in the state sow crops like soybean, cotton, millet, maize, tur, moong, and urad. Download the TOI App.