Rain fury across Maharashtra in the month of September has completely ruined the farmers and the farm sector in the state. 253 talukas and 2059 mandals over 29 districts of the state have been submerged due to heavy and continuous downpours and flooding, causing enormous losses to the farmers. Besides crop damage, loss of livestock, and damage to houses and cowsheds, there were reports of the loss of human lives. In response, the Mahayuti government, led by Devendra Fadnavis, has announced a Rs 31,628 crore relief package for the affected farmers, the largest relief package in the history of Maharashtra. He said nobody can alleviate 100% of the agony of the affected farmers, but his government will do its best to help farmers stand on their feet and prepare for the rabi season. The package value was derived from Rs 45000-50000 per hectare, covering approximately 68.7 lakh hectares of damaged agricultural land across the state.
Crop damage in Maharashtra soars to a massive level
While sowing had taken place over a total of 1 crore 43 lakh 52 thousand 281 hectares of land across the state at the start of the monsoon, crops over more than 68 lakh 69 thousand 756 hectares of land were damaged due to floods, albeit to different extents. While in some areas there has been 100 percent loss, other areas suffered damages of varying degrees. It is impossible to completely compensate for the losses and sufferings of the farmers, nevertheless, to help them stand up and prepare for the next season, the state government has announced a package of Rs 31 thousand 628 crore for the farmers. The state government has made it clear that relief through this package will be provided in different phases, through the Farmer Compensation Scheme and Madad Scheme. Farmers who have suffered crop loss will be paid @Rs 18,500 per hectare for dryland farming, @Rs 27,000 for seasonal horticulture and @Rs 32,500 for horticulture. Along with this, additional Rs 10,000 per hectare will be given for sowing seeds in the next season. Apart from this, Rs 17,000 per hectare will be given to 45 lakh insured farmers. In this way, a horticulture farmer is being helped up to an average of Rs 50 thousand per hectare. Additionally, the government will provide Rs 6,175 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to compensate for crop loss across nearly 65 lakh hectares of land.
Compensation for crop damage and other types of losses
- Dry farming – Rs 18,500 per hectare
- Seasonal gardening – Rs 27,000 per hectare
- Horticulture – Rs 32,500 per hectare
- Insured farmer – Rs 17,000 per hectare
- For Rabi crops – additional Rs 10,000
- For removing silt from wells – Rs 30,000 per well
- For eroded land – Rs 47,000 per hectare, plus assistance of 3 lakh hectares from MGNREGA
Help for homes and shops
- Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, completely demolished houses will be rebuilt.
- Rs 10,000 assistance for slightly dilapidated houses
- Additional assistance of Rs 10,000 for houses in Dongri areas
- Assistance of Rs 50,000 for damage caused to shops/farms
Help for animal husbandry
- Milch animals – Rs 37,500 per animal
- Draft Animals – Rs 32,000 per animal
- Poultry Farming – Rs 100 per chicken
The government aid for farmers will rebuild the devastated agri sector!
Financial aid has also been provided to people whose houses have been damaged. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, completely destroyed houses will be rebuilt. Financial assistance up to Rs 10,000 is being given to repair houses with minor damages due to floods. Also, shops and stalls which have suffered major damages will be given assistance up to Rs 50,000. The government has also taken note of the loss of animals, and an assistance of Rs 37,500 for dairy animals and Rs 32,000 for draft animals will be provided per animal. Apart from this, poultry farmers and chicken shop owners will be given a support package of Rs 100 per chicken. The central government has changed the rules of NDRF.SDRF and removed the rule for assistance according to the number of animals, so that more and more farmers can get its benefits.
Land erosion has occurred at many places due to filling of rivers, streams, drains, etc. The government has thought well about such lands. Because to grow crops again on this land, farmers will have to fill the soil here. For this, special compensation of Rs 47000 cash per hectare and Rs 3 lakh per hectare will be given under the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme. Also, many wells have been damaged due to floods. An assistance of Rs 30 thousand will be given for repair/rebuild of each well.
Implementation of all drought-related provisions
Besides compensating for different types of losses to farmers, the state government also has the responsibility to rebuild the damaged infrastructure in the affected areas. ₹10,000 crore has been allotted for this purpose. In fact, major provisions and concessions that usually come into effect following the declaration of a drought by the Devendra Fadnavis government, have been implemented across the state following this devastating flood. Concessions such as revenue waivers, loan restructuring, a moratorium on loan recovery, and the waiver of examination fees for students have been introduced. Even before announcing this package, the government had immediately sanctioned a fund of ₹2,200 crore. Assistance was approved for 31.64 lakh farmers under this initiative, with ₹1,829 crore already distributed at the district level.
Through these measures, the government has provided farmers with both financial assistance and emotional support. Acknowledging the farmers’ distress, the government has announced concrete measures for their benefit via this package. This decision by the Devendra Fadnavis government will help the farm sector resurge after this devastating flood
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