Maharashtra farmers face crisis as Sharad Pawar seeks drought declaration

Sharad Pawar, chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to declare a drought in the state due to a severe agrarian crisis caused by deficient monsoon rains. Pawar reported that 31 of Maharashtra's 36 districts have received significantly less rainfall than normal, with a 19 percent deficit recorded between June 1 and September 15. This shortage has severely impacted key Kharif crops, including soybean, cotton, maize, and various pulses, while also exacerbating shortages of drinking water and livestock fodder.

Pawar's demands include providing at least Rs 50,000 per hectare in financial aid to affected farmers and Rs 25,000 to landless farm-labor households. He also called for an immediate farm loan waiver, increased incentives for regular loan repayers, and the retroactive implementation of the Re 1 crop insurance scheme.

Additionally, the Bharat Krishak Samaj has petitioned both central and state governments for substantial financial assistance. The organization urged authorities to bypass lengthy assessment processes and provide direct aid to farmers whose crops were damaged by erratic rainfall and subsequent heatwaves.