Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, 24 September 2026, undertook a ground-level survey of crop damage across Washim and Amravati districts, inspecting fields ravaged by deficient rainfall and pledging state-funded compensation to affected farmers without waiting for central assistance. The visit comes as drought-like conditions grip the Vidarbha region, with soybean and tur crops bearing the brunt of the crisis.

What Fadnavis Saw on the Ground

At Mhasla in Karanja taluka, the Chief Minister inspected damaged soybean and tur crops at the farm of Devidas Kishan Kale and held direct conversations with local farmers. Moving to Mohgavhan in Mangrulpir taluka, he visited the farms of Anil Bhagre and Abdul Naeem Sheikh Rahim, where he noted extensive losses caused by prolonged dry spells. In Jaulka, Malegaon taluka, Fadnavis reviewed conditions at the farm of Santosh Sakharam Dumble, and Santosh's mother, Shakuntalabai, personally apprised him of the hardships her family faces due to drought.

What the Government Said

'This is a major crisis for farmers. However, they should not lose heart. The government stands firmly with them and will provide maximum possible assistance. A notification will be issued soon,' Fadnavis said during the visit.

Later, at a review in Amravati, he confirmed that every district in the division had been affected and announced that aid under Trigger-1 of the drought manual would be disbursed the following day. He stressed that the state would extend immediate relief independent of central disbursements while simultaneously processing crop-loss assessments — known as panchnamas — to submit a formal aid proposal to the Centre.

Relief Measures Announced

Fadnavis outlined a multi-pronged relief package: food grain support, direct financial aid to ensure farmers' children's education is not disrupted, and feasibility checks for Rabi season sowing. The government also intends to generate rural employment through water conservation projects, including desilting drives, water harvesting structures, and repair of lakes and ponds.

On the financial side, loan waiver funds are being credited directly to farmers' accounts, banks have been directed to issue fresh loans, and procurement of agricultural produce at guaranteed prices is set to begin shortly. A comprehensive relief policy, Fadnavis said, is being framed to ensure aid reaches farmers before Diwali.

Why Vidarbha Is Particularly Vulnerable

Vidarbha, which encompasses both Washim and Amravati, is historically prone to agrarian distress. The region accounts for a disproportionately high share of Maharashtra's farmer suicides, often linked to crop failure and debt cycles. Soybean and tur — the dominant kharif crops here — are especially sensitive to erratic monsoon patterns. This visit is the latest in a series of government interventions in the region, underscoring a recurring crisis that state policy has struggled to resolve structurally.

What Happens Next

Trigger-1 relief disbursements are expected to begin imminently. Panchnama documentation will be compiled and forwarded to the Centre as the basis for additional assistance. With Diwali approaching, the state government faces a tight timeline to translate announcements into actual farm-level transfers — a challenge that has historically been the weak link in Maharashtra's drought relief machinery.