Maharashtra Crops Damaged Across 1.22 Lakh Hectares After Unseasonal Rains And Hailstorms

Mumbai: Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne has said that widespread crop damage has been reported across the state due to unseasonal rains, strong winds and hailstorms in the last week of March.

According to the minister, crops spread over more than 1.22 lakh hectares (over 3.05 lakh acres) have been affected. The worst-hit districts include Nashik (29,812 hectares), Ahilyanagar (23,633 hectares), Jalgaon (22,361 hectares), Dhule (14,832 hectares), Buldhana (8,507 hectares) and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (8,445 hectares), where large-scale losses have been recorded.

A wide range of crops such as banana, wheat, maize, gram, mango, jowar, watermelon, vegetables, pomegranate, onion, orange and grapes have suffered extensive damage, pushing farmers into financial distress. In several areas, onion stocks have rotted, papaya saplings have been destroyed, and standing crops have collapsed due to waterlogging, leading to losses of labour and input costs.

Bharne on Thursday visited Vadgaon Dal village in Bhor taluka to assess the situation on the ground. He inspected damaged mango orchards and other crops, noting significant fruit drop and damage to trees and standing produce. The minister also interacted with affected farmers to understand their difficulties.

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He assured that officials have been directed to complete damage assessments and panchnamas on priority to ensure timely financial assistance. Bharne added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar are firmly supporting farmers, urging them not to lose hope in this difficult time.

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