Nanded, Sept 19 Low rainfall and prolonged dry spells have affected crops across 76 tehsils in Marathwada region and created the possibility of fodder and drinking water shortages, Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said on Saturday.
The minister said 56 lakh farmers in Maharashtra would receive loan waivers amounting to ₹ 40,385 crore. The agriculture minister directed the administration to complete pre-harvest crop-cutting experiments promptly and accurately so that maximum eligible farmers could benefit from crop insurance.
He said the state government is committed to extending maximum possible financial assistance and compensation to farmers affected by crop losses amid the drought-like situation prevailing in parts of the Marathwada region. “Low rainfall and prolonged dry spells affected crops across 76 tehsils in Marathwada, besides creating a possibility of fodder and drinking water shortages,” Bharne said. He said the administration should deal with farmers sensitively, understand their problems and address their concerns. He said the issue of insurance coverage based on satellite data would be urgently brought to the notice of the Union government. Minister of State for Energy, Water Supply and Sanitation Meghna Bordikar said there was currently no shortage of electricity in Maharashtra and steps would be taken to ensure that no district faced load-shedding.
