Maharashtra drought: Fadnavis outlines relief plan for farmers for next 6-8 months

Maharashtra Chief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the state government was drawing up detailed plans to provide employment foodgrains drinking water and fodder for livestock to farmers agricultural labourers and rural residents over the next six to eight months amid drought conditionsAddressing a meeting with a Central drought assessment team at his official residence Varsha Fadnavis said the government was prioritising technologydriven planning for drought relief with particular emphasis on drinking water livelihood support and the protection of livestockHe expressed confidence that the Central team would submit a report to the Union Government on the ground situation in droughtaffected areas helping convey the severity of the crisisFadnavis said the first two months of the monsoon had witnessed good rainfall raising expectations of a record agricultural yield However a nearly twomonthlong dry spell followed when crops were at the flowering stage severely affecting soybean cultivation in several areas Cotton tur and sugarcane crops were also affectedWith water scarcity reducing the prospects of rabi sowing and leaving little scope for summer crops farmers would have limited opportunities to make up for kharif losses in subsequent seasons he said Small farmers who also depend on agricultural labour for their livelihoods were facing additional financial difficultiesThe government would therefore plan assistance through employment generation and food security schemes CM Fadnavis saidDrinking water to get priorityFadnavis said that while recent rainfall had benefited major cities such as Mumbai and Pune water sources had dried up in several parts of the state particularly in smaller rural settlements These areas would require extensive tankerbased water supply arrangementsThe state government was preparing a technologyenabled system to ensure that water tankers reached villages in a planned and transparent mannerThe first allocation of available water has been reserved for drinking purposes until August 2027 Separate provisions have been made for the drinking water requirements of people and livestock with water for other uses to be made available only after these needs are met he saidThe government would ensure strict implementation of the water allocation plan Fadnavis addedWater sources to be revivedThe state plans to undertake desilting repairs and restoration of water storage structures through various Central and state government schemesFadnavis said similar works carried out earlier in 25000 villages had provided relief to affected areas even when they faced a water deficit of 15 to 17 per cent The government would use software and mobile applications to ensure transparency in implementing such worksFodder arrangements for livestockFadnavis said fodder stocks available across various districts were estimated to last between 90 and 120 days The government would encourage fodder production in watershed areas where soil moisture remained available and procure available fodder at governmentdeclared rates before arranging for its storageIf necessary the state would also explore procuring fodder from other states that had received adequate rainfall Fodder depots and cattle camps would be considered wherever required to protect livestockThe government would also involve rural residents in water conservation works including repairs to existing structures and construction of new ones under the ridgetovalley approach These activities would create local employment while helping communities cope with the drought Fadnavis saidState to submit detailed drought assessmentCM Fadnavis said the state government would submit a detailed databased memorandum in accordance with the Centres criteria The Union Agriculture Minister had contacted the state regarding an advance memorandum which had subsequently been submittedFadnavis also said the Union Home Minister had assured the state that an interministerial group meeting would be convened soon to expedite the assistance processAlthough crop insurance coverage remained relatively low the state would work with the Central government to ensure that insured farmers received their benefits at the earliest he saidThe meeting was attended by Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil and the Central drought assessment team led by Muktanand Agrawal a Union Joint Secretary among other officialsThree Central teams had inspected farms water sources and droughtaffected villages in Ahilyanagar Solapur Jalna Beed Dharashiv Washim and Yavatmal districts The teams also interacted with farmers to assess conditions on the ground