Around 1.5 crore farmers across 304 drought-affected talukas are expected to benefit from advance financial assistance, subject to eligibility conditions and crop-loss assessment.
🔴 By| Sonal Sharma
Mumbai : In a major relief measure for farmers battling drought and crop losses, the Maharashtra government has approved an allocation of ₹7,500 crore to provide advance financial assistance of ₹5,000 to each eligible farmer before Diwali 2026. The decision aims to provide immediate financial support to agricultural families struggling with the impact of adverse weather conditions and damage to standing crops.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier announced that the state would not wait for the Centre’s assistance to reach farmers before providing immediate relief. Following the latest Cabinet approval on October 27, the government has moved ahead with the advance payment process. Around 1.5 crore farmers are expected to benefit from the initiative.
🟡 ₹5,000 Assistance for Farmers in 304 Drought-Affected Talukas
The state government has declared 304 talukas eligible for the current relief initiative, following an expansion of the drought-affected list. Earlier, the state had identified 265 drought-affected talukas, and 40 additional talukas were subsequently added after reviewing complaints and ground conditions.
The latest decision provides for a uniform advance payment of ₹5,000 per eligible farmer. However, the assistance will not automatically be available to every farmer in the state. According to reports on the Cabinet decision, farmers whose crops have suffered damage exceeding 33% in the notified drought-affected talukas will qualify, subject to the applicable verification and eligibility requirements.
🟡 ₹7,500 Crore to Be Transferred Through DBT
The government has approved ₹7,500 crore for the advance assistance programme. The money is to be transferred directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, with the stated aim of ensuring that farmers receive financial support before the festival.
The ₹5,000 payment is being treated as advance relief rather than the final settlement of crop-loss compensation. The government will continue assessing agricultural losses according to crop type and affected land area to determine the additional compensation, wherever applicable. The advance payment is intended to help farmers manage immediate household expenses and agricultural costs while the wider assessment process continues.
🟡 What Farmers Need to Know About Eligibility
Farmers should ensure that their land, crop-loss and bank-account details are accurate in the relevant government records. Reports indicate that eligible beneficiaries who completed e-KYC for government schemes from November 1, 2025, onwards will not need to repeat the process for this advance payment. Forest-land-rights holders who have not yet received an AgriStack Farmer ID are also reported to be eligible for assistance based on e-KYC, subject to verification.
The payment will depend on the applicable eligibility criteria and official beneficiary verification. Farmers should follow announcements from the Agriculture Department, district administration and local revenue authorities for instructions regarding their records and payment status.
🟡 Relief Amid Growing Agricultural Distress
The decision comes amid continuing concerns over drought, reduced water availability and agricultural losses in several parts of Maharashtra. The government has also announced drought-relief concessions, including measures related to crop-loan restructuring, land-revenue relief, electricity-bill concessions and educational fee exemptions for eligible students from drought-affected areas.
While the ₹5,000 advance is expected to offer some immediate financial support, the scale of crop damage and the cost of cultivation remain major concerns for farmers. The government’s subsequent assessment of losses will be important in determining the additional assistance available to affected agricultural families.
The key question now is how quickly the approved funds will reach eligible farmers’ bank accounts ahead of Diwali. Farmers are advised to rely on official government notifications and district-level announcements for the final payment schedule and beneficiary details.
