Administration Prepared for Thane’s Agricultural Growth; No Shortage of Seeds and Fertilisers for Kharif Season: Eknath Shinde

Thane, April 2026 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister for Thane district, Eknath Shinde, on Monday said the district administration is fully prepared for the Kharif season 2026–27 and is committed to ensuring that farmers face no shortage of seeds, fertilisers, or other essential agricultural inputs.

He was speaking at a pre-season review meeting held at the Thane Collectorate, where preparations for the आगामी Kharif season were discussed in detail. Shinde reviewed the योजनाएँ formulated by the agriculture department and issued key directives to officials to ensure smooth implementation and comprehensive support for farmers.

The meeting was attended by several public representatives and senior officials, including MLAs, district administrators, and agriculture department authorities. At the outset, Shinde reviewed the work carried out during the previous season and appreciated the planning undertaken for the upcoming agricultural cycle.

Emphasising the need to protect farmers from fraud, he directed the administration to take strict action against the sale of fake seeds and fertilisers. He instructed officials to deploy special flying squads to monitor black marketing and ensure that only high-quality agricultural inputs reach farmers. He stressed that preventing losses to farmers remains a top priority for the government.

Highlighting the importance of modern techniques, Shinde called for increased adoption of the Saguna farming method and mechanisation, particularly in paddy cultivation. He noted that such practices help reduce costs while improving productivity, and urged the agriculture department to encourage more farmers to adopt these methods.

The Deputy Chief Minister also underscored the importance of sustainable agriculture, directing officials to strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and women’s self-help groups in the district. He encouraged farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops and explore opportunities in bamboo cultivation, floriculture, and other cash crops to enhance their income.

To improve irrigation facilities, especially in remote areas, Shinde instructed that solar pumps under the PM Kusum Yojana be provided to farmers. He also directed that water conservation works under the Jalyukt Shivar 2.0 campaign be completed before the onset of the monsoon.

He further emphasised the need for timely and transparent distribution of crop insurance benefits and other government assistance during natural disasters, ensuring that farmers are not left unsupported in times of crisis.

Speaking about agricultural modernisation, Shinde highlighted the importance of digital initiatives such as AgriStack and farmer registration. He said that timely registration of eligible farmers would enable them to directly benefit from various government schemes, improving efficiency and outreach.

District Superintendent Agriculture Officer Rameshwar Pache presented detailed data during the meeting. Under an innovative district annual plan initiative for 2025–26, 745 quintals of elephant foot yam (suran) seeds are being distributed to farmers. A symbolic distribution of seeds was also carried out during the meeting.

In addition, a farmer from Murbad taluka, Arvind Rajaram Gholap, was felicitated by Shinde for being the first in the district to adopt a combine harvester capable of completing harvesting of one acre within an hour under the farm mechanisation scheme.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, Shinde said that Thane district is on a path of development and assured that all necessary support will be extended to empower farmers and strengthen the agricultural economy.