Package of ₹31,628 Crore Announced for Farmers Affected by Crop Damage – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, Oct 2025 : Due to excessive rainfall this year, agriculture in the state has suffered extensive damage, affecting 29 districts. In these districts, 253 talukas and 2,059 circles have been identified as affected. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that compensation will be provided to all farmers in these areas without the 65 mm rainfall condition.

To help farmers recover, the Chief Minister announced a relief package of ₹31,628 crore. As per the package, financial assistance will be provided at the rate of ₹18,500 per hectare for dryland farming, ₹27,000 per hectare for seasonal horticulture, and ₹32,500 per hectare for irrigated land. The Chief Minister said efforts will be made to distribute this aid before Diwali, calling it the largest financial assistance package ever announced.

Speaking at a press conference held in Mantralaya after the Cabinet meeting, CM Fadnavis shared details of the relief package for farmers. Present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Agriculture Minister Dattatraya Bharane, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makrand Jadhav Patil, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnayak, PWD Minister Shivendra Singh Bhosale, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O.P. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) Vikaschandra Rastogi, and Principal Secretary (Relief and Rehabilitation) Vinita Ved-Singhal, among others.

CM Fadnavis said that due to heavy rains, there was extensive damage to crops, livestock, sheds, shops, and rural infrastructure, and even loss of life. Cabinet members visited several affected areas and provided immediate assistance of ₹10,000, along with food grains like wheat and rice. An initial installment of ₹2,200 crore was approved for this purpose.

To ensure insured farmers receive timely aid, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is personally working on it, while non-insured farmers will receive ₹17,000 per hectare. The CM said more than ₹18,000 crore has been allocated for compensation.

He further added that 1.43 crore hectares of land was cultivated in the state this year, of which 68.67 lakh hectares have been damaged due to excessive rain. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, new houses will be provided where homes were destroyed, and an additional ₹10,000 will be given for homes in hilly areas.

Shop owners whose establishments were damaged will get ₹50,000, while for livestock that perished, compensation of ₹37,500 per animal (without a minimum count requirement) and ₹100 per chicken will be provided. For land rendered uncultivable due to erosion, farmers will receive ₹47,000 per hectare, along with ₹3 lakh per hectare under MGNREGA. Damaged wells will get ₹30,000 each, and ₹100 crore has been allocated for losses in fisheries and boats.

CM Fadnavis said that data from Agristack will be used for disbursing aid, eliminating the need for farmers to submit any documents. For rebuilding rural infrastructure, ₹10,000 crore has been reserved, and 5% of District Planning Committee funds (worth ₹1,500 crore) will be allocated for flood-affected regions. All drought-related concessions will be extended to flood-hit areas as well. Under the Baliraja Power Concession Scheme, pending electricity bills for agricultural pumps have already been waived.

The Chief Minister noted that large-scale donations have been coming to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Several organizations have also agreed to contribute through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. For cases not covered under rules, aid will be given from the CM Relief Fund. He assured that no student’s education will be disrupted due to loss of documents or educational materials in the floods.

Government Stands Firmly with Farmers – Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said the government is working to support farmers affected by natural calamities. Immediate relief of ₹10,000 has been given in flood-affected areas. “During this crisis, the government has prioritized the welfare of farmers, setting aside conditions and ensuring prompt aid,” he said.

He added that 65 lakh hectares of farmland was damaged, and soil erosion has made cultivation difficult. “Farmers need not worry; the government stands firmly behind them,” he said. Assistance of ₹47,000 per hectare and ₹3 lakh under MGNREGA will be provided for eroded lands.

For the upcoming Rabi season, affected farmers will receive ₹10,000 per hectare. After the proposal is submitted, the Central Government will also provide support under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and NaMo Shetkari Samman Yojana, ensuring farmers receive an additional ₹6,000 annually.

Aid Extended up to Three Hectares – Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that the state government will extend aid up to three hectares, setting aside NDRF’s existing two-hectare limit. Heavy rains and floods caused immense losses—farmland was eroded, cattle died, and cowsheds were destroyed.

He assured that every affected farmer will receive assistance, and no one will be left out of the relief process. “If anyone has been left out unintentionally, they too will be included and compensated,” he added.