Mumbai, Oct 11 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday stated that the state administration is executing comprehensive planning to supply employment, foodgrains, drinking water, and livestock fodder across drought-impacted regions over the upcoming six to eight months. During a discussion with a Central drought assessment team at his official residence, Fadnavis noted that insufficient rainfall during critical periods of crop development heavily damaged soybean cultivation across multiple regions, while cotton, tur, and sugarcane yields also sustained losses.
Prospects for rabi sowing remain grim due to severe water scarcity, leaving cultivators with minimal opportunity to offset kharif season losses via later planting. Small-scale farmers who rely on agricultural wages for their sustenance are experiencing financial distress, prompting the administration to deliver support through job creation and food security initiatives. Fadnavis expressed optimism that the Central delegation, which toured affected settlements and spoke directly with farmers, would present an evaluation detailing the crisis to the Union government.
Water reservoirs have run dry across numerous areas, especially in compact rural communities, driving the need for widespread tanker-supplied water arrangements. The state administration intends to leverage technology to guarantee orderly and open distribution of tanker water. Meeting the drinking water demands of residents and livestock will take precedence, with existing supplies earmarked strictly for drinking purposes until August 2027. Water for alternate uses will be released exclusively after these primary needs are satisfied.
The administration will additionally carry out desilting, rehabilitation, and restoration of water storage facilities under distinct Central and state programs. Prior initiatives across 25,000 villages offered stability during historical water deficits, and digital tools and mobile applications will be deployed to maintain accountability. Existing fodder reserves across districts are projected to endure for 90 to 120 days, while output will be expanded in watershed zones possessing sufficient soil moisture.
The state plans to purchase fodder at established prices and organize appropriate storage facilities, with imports from other well-watered states remaining an option if necessary. Fodder distribution points and livestock camps will be established wherever required, alongside public participation in water conservation projects to supply rural employment. Furthermore, the state government will present a comprehensive data-backed memorandum formatted to Union government guidelines to request financial assistance, supplementing an initial preliminary memorandum already filed.
Union leadership has assured the state that an inter-ministerial group meeting will be organized shortly to accelerate the assistance procedure. The state administration will also collaborate with the Centre to ensure eligible farmers receive their crop insurance payouts promptly. The briefing included discussions with Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil, and Central team leader and Joint Secretary Muktanand Agrawal.
Three separate Central delegations previously inspected farmlands and water networks in drought-hit villages spanning Ahilyanagar, Solapur, Jalna, Beed, Dharashiv, Washim, and Yavatmal districts to evaluate ground conditions and engage with local cultivators.