On Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis traveled to the drought-affected tehsils of Latur and Dharashiv in Marathwada. During his visit, he assured local farmers, who are grappling with water and fodder shortages as well as significant crop failures, that they would receive government assistance. This commitment comes as the region faces severe agricultural challenges due to ongoing drought conditions.
Fadnavis visited fields with withered soybean crops and dried-up wells and met distressed farmers in Jau village in Nilanga tehsil of Latur. Fadnavis acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. Soybean crops have withered and farmers have suffered massive losses.
Farmers said their crops withered after sprouting due to lack of rain. “Latur and Dharashiv are facing the most severe conditions as they have received only around 50% of the normal rainfall. Last year, rainfall in these areas was 60–65% of normal.
A woman farmer told Fadnavis that apart from the failed crops, the biggest question before them was how they would meet the cost of their children’s education. “We can somehow manage to arrange food but the cost of education is a major burden,” she said. We are going to face a serious shortage of drinking water and fodder,” he said.
Fadnavis is scheduled to visit six villages in Latur and Dharashiv districts on Wednesday. Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde and other ministers from the three ruling parties are also visiting various drought-affected districts on Wednesday. “I met a farmer whose crop had initially grown well but has now completely withered. There is no water in his well. The situation is extremely serious, but the government will stand firmly with the farmers. “We have planned the drinking-water supply in such a way that the available stock will last until next June. “We are focusing on implementing farm loan waivers effectively. Shinde is visiting villages in Akola and Buldhana.
Maharashtra received 80.82% of its average rainfall between June 1 and September 21, with significant deficits reported in several districts, according to the crop situation report placed before the state cabinet on Tuesday.
We have ordered the preparation of panchnamas (damage assessment reports), but assistance will have to be provided across the board, and we will provide it,” he said. Super El Niño has created a very serious situation,” Fadnavis said. I have already instructed officials to issue the first government order on relief by Saturday,” he said. Fadnavis said the government would first assess measures to conserve water and ensure that it percolates into the ground, which could help reduce the severity of the drought. He said the kharif crop had suffered damage, but assistance would also be provided for rabi crops.
