Torrential rains and flooding have affected 31 of Maharashtra's 36 districts, leaving large areas of farmland underwater. According to state authorities, crops on more than 5 million hectares have been damaged, raising concerns among farmers about long-term recovery.
Oranges, pomegranates, maize, and onion fields are among the most affected. Farmers report that soil erosion and deposits of stones carried by floodwaters have left many plots unsuitable for cultivation.
The Maharashtra government stated that crops across 31 districts suffered extensive losses. It has sanctioned compensation of over ₹20 billion (US$240 million) for more than 3.1 million affected farmers. However, growers in severely impacted areas argue that the damage extends beyond immediate crop destruction, affecting soil fertility and productivity. "It will take us four to five years to recover," said a farmer from Karanji village.
Authorities have confirmed that the situation remains challenging and have requested financial support from the central government under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Opposition groups and farmer organisations are calling for the year to be declared a "wet drought" to ensure broader financial relief and policy measures.
Surveys are underway to quantify losses and calculate compensation levels, though opposition leaders allege that the government's response has been slow. Farmers also fear that, even if aid is approved, payments may be delayed or fall short of actual losses.
With fields still waterlogged and harvests destroyed, Maharashtra's farming sector faces a setback that growers expect will take years to overcome. As one farmer explained, the challenge is not only the lost harvest but also restoring land productivity after the erosion and debris left behind by the floods.
Source: CNBC TV18
