Mumbai, June 24: Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister Dattatraya Bharne reaffirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to farmers during a session in the state assembly on Wednesday. He outlined significant financial packages, technical assistance, and relief measures aimed at supporting the agricultural community.
The government emphasized its focus on strengthening agriculture through extensive loan waivers, preparations for the Kharif 2026 season, and progressive laws for women farmers. Bharne highlighted the ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme,’ describing it as the largest loan waiver initiative in Maharashtra’s history. Under this scheme, 5.62 million farmers will receive a total financial relief of ₹36,585 crore.
He explained that farmers with outstanding loans of up to ₹2 lakh (including interest) will have their debts fully waived. Those with debts exceeding ₹2 lakh will receive a waiver of ₹2 lakh after settling the remaining amount. Farmers who have consistently repaid their crop loans in two out of the last three years will be awarded a bonus of ₹50,000.
According to the minister, the current scheme surpasses previous loan waiver initiatives, including the 2009 scheme (₹4,008 crore), the 2017 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj scheme (₹24,737 crore), and the 2019 Mahatma Jyotirao Phule scheme (₹25,749 crore).
Bharne announced that the government has decided to provide relief to 1.27 million farmers under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Loan Waiver Scheme, which was implemented by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2019. He mentioned that the Chief Minister would soon announce this decision.
Considering the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of below-average rainfall due to El Niño for the Kharif 2026 season, Bharne detailed robust plans to address this challenge. He noted that Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the state’s preparations on June 23. Farmers have been urged to refrain from sowing until adequate and consistent rainfall occurs in the state. Workshops have been organized in collaboration with ICAR and CRIDA to promote ‘Broad Bed Furrow’ (BBF) sowing methods, with subsidies for BBF equipment.
He further explained that seeds capable of quick growth and drought resistance are being distributed. Over the past two years, more than 2,000 farm ponds have been excavated, with increased focus on micro-irrigation and mulching.
To promote capital investment and infrastructure, Bharne announced the launch of the ‘Agricultural Prosperity Scheme’ with a total budget of ₹5,000 crore. A substantial allocation of ₹2,000 crore has been made for the financial year 2026-27, with the remaining ₹3,000 crore to be raised through supplementary demands.
This scheme will fund modern agricultural solutions, including drones for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, farmer service centers at the village level, and the organic farming campaign ‘Aaple Khet, Aaple Khat.’
Leave a Comment