Six out of eight districts in Maha's Marathwada region facing drought-like situation: Dhananjay Munde

Six out of eight districts in Maharashtra's Marathwada region are experiencing a drought-like condition similar to the one that existed in 2014, state agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde said on Friday.

Munde took a review meeting of water availability, crops and cattle fodder in the eight districts of Marathwada and said a policy decision needs to be taken on relief for farmers by way of part crop insurance pay out since automated machines are creating a hurdle while measuring the gap between two spells of rain.

Six districts may face drought this year. Only Hingoli and Nanded districts in Marathwada have received average seasonal rainfall so far. There is provision to give 25 per cent crop insurance amount to farmers if there is a rain gap of 21 days, he said. However, automated machines will count even negligible rainfall of 2-2.25 mm during the day and the chain of (21) dry days breaks. This break in the chain is creating hurdles in giving part of the crop insurance amount to farmers, he said.

Munde said the relief and rehabilitation minister has been requested to meet concerned ministers at the Centre to find a way out on this issue. I shall take up the issue in the state cabinet meeting. A policy decision needs to be taken. I have also directed district collectors to visit every taluka and submit crop situation reports within one week, Munde said.

Forceful loan recovery from farmers must stop. Water available in projects in the region will be earmarked for drinking purposes. A mid-adversity survey will be carried out with the participation of agriculture, revenue departments and insurance firms, the minister said.