The Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra announced on 1 July 2026 that Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis graced the 'Krishi Samman va Puraskar Vitaran Samarambh 2026' (Agriculture Honour and Award Distribution Ceremony 2026) held in Mumbai, felicitating farmers and officials who performed outstanding work in the agriculture sector during 2023 and 2024.

Context

The ceremony recognised exceptional contributions to farming across Maharashtra, with CM Fadnavis describing award-winning farmers as 'true ambassadors of the agriculture department.' He noted that their experimental and innovative farming practices — carried out even in adverse conditions — serve as inspiration for fellow farmers across the state.

Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said the honour is 'not merely a formal recognition but a celebration of our agricultural culture,' underlining the state government's commitment to modern farming and farmer empowerment.

Policy Backdrop

The Chief Minister outlined a multi-pronged strategy to make farming 'more capable, sustainable, and profitable.' Key interventions highlighted include water conservation, solar agricultural pumps, free daytime electricity, agricultural mechanisation, certified seeds, irrigation facilities, and financial support to farmers.

On water conservation, Fadnavis said the Jalayukt Shivar Abhiyan and the 'Magel Tyala Shet Tale' (farm pond on demand) scheme have enabled large-scale water storage works across more than 22,000 villages. These efforts have helped farmers in previously difficult regions shift from single-crop to two- and three-crop cultivation, and have enabled orchards to flourish where farming was once nearly impossible.

On energy, the Chief Minister stated that Maharashtra leads the country in installation of solar agricultural pumps, with the state accounting for more than 60% of all such pumps installed nationally. Currently, 75% of farmers in the state receive electricity during the day, and the government has set a target of providing all farmers 12 hours of free daytime power by the end of the current year. The state government, he added, spends ₹28,000 crore annually to supply free electricity to farmers.

For agricultural mechanisation, an annual allocation of ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 crore has been made, with subsidies of 80% to 100% on various farm implements. The government has also mandated online certification of all seeds to curb the sale of counterfeit seeds, ensuring only certified seeds remain available in the market.

Stakeholders and Impact

An ambitious flood-diversion project has been launched to channel surplus water from western Maharashtra to drought-prone talukas, and further through Ujani into Marathwada — a region historically vulnerable to severe water scarcity. Fadnavis stated that the long-term objective is to make Maharashtra drought-free, pledging that the next generation of the state will not face the hardship of drought.

The Chief Minister also reaffirmed the government's decision to implement a farm loan waiver as part of broader measures to provide financial relief to farmers, with the ultimate goal of increasing agricultural investment and making farmers economically self-reliant.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Minister Dattatray Bharane, Minister of State Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, and Minister of State Indranil Naik were among the dignitaries present at the event.

What's Next

The government's stated milestones to watch include achieving 12-hour free daytime electricity for all farmers before the end of the current year and advancing the flood-diversion canal project linking western Maharashtra with Marathwada. Award-winning farmers are expected to serve as grassroots ambassadors, disseminating modern farming techniques, new seed varieties, and successful agricultural experiments to villages across the state.

With Maharashtra positioning itself as a national leader in solar agricultural infrastructure and water conservation, the administration's ability to deliver on its year-end power target and complete long-gestation irrigation projects will be closely watched by farming communities and policymakers alike.