Mumbai, June 24 (IANS) Maharashtra agriculture minister Dattatray Bharane on Wednesday reaffirmed in the state Assembly the Mahayuti government’s unwavering commitment to the state’s farmers (Baliraja), outlining major financial packages, technological interventions, and relief measures.

Highlighting a massive loan waiver, drought preparedness for the Kharif 2026 season, and upcoming progressive legislation for women farmers, the government emphasised that agricultural empowerment remains its core focus.

In his reply to a debate under Rule 293, Minister Bharane highlighted the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana, describing it as the largest-ever loan waiver scheme in Maharashtra’s history. Under this initiative, 56.24 lakh farmers will benefit from a total financial relief of Rs 36,585 crore.

“Under the scheme, there will be full waiver for farmers with a total outstanding debt up to Rs 2 lakh (including interest). Farmers with dues exceeding Rs 2 lakh will receive a Rs 2 lakh waiver once they clear the remaining amount. A Rs 50,000 incentive bonus will be given to farmers who regularly repaid their crop loans in any two of the last three years,” he explained.

According to the minister, the current scheme far outpaces previous waivers, such as the 2009 scheme (Rs 4,008 crore), the 2017 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj scheme (Rs 24,737 crore), and the 2019 Mahatma Jyotirao Phule scheme (Rs 25,749 crore).

The minister disclosed that the government has made a decision to provide relief to 12.71 lakh farmers under the Mahatma Jotirao Phule Loan Waiver Scheme which was implemented by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2019. He said that the Chief Minister will declare the decision soon.

Acknowledging the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of below-average rainfall for the Kharif 2026 season due to El Niño, the minister detailed robust mitigation plans.

“Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also reviewed the state’s preparedness on June 23. Farmers have been strongly urged not to rush into sowing until the state receives adequate and sustained rainfall. State workshops have been organized with ICAR and CRIDA to promote Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) sowing methods. The government will provide subsidies for BBF equipment,” he said.

He further stated that distribution of short-duration, drought-tolerant seed varieties is underway. Over 2,000 farm ponds have been dug over the past two years, with increased focus on micro-irrigation and mulching.

To boost capital investment and infrastructure, Minister Bharane said the Krishi Samriddhi Yojana has been launched with an overall outlay of Rs 5,000 crore. For the financial year 2026–27, a substantial provision of Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked, with the remaining Rs 3,000 crore to be raised via supplementary demands.

This scheme will fund modern farm solutions, including drones for fertiliser and pesticide spraying, village-level Farmer Service Centres, and the organic farming campaign ‘Aaple Shet, Aaple Khat’.

He announced a significant update to the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Sanugraha Anudan Yojana (Accidental Insurance Scheme) that provides Rs 2 lakh for accidental death and Rs 1 lakh for permanent disability.

Accepting a long-standing demand by legislators, farm labourers have now been officially included in this scheme.

“Furthermore, the government is actively considering adding deaths caused by heatwaves to the list of eligible compensations. To eliminate bureaucratic delays, the entire application process has been shifted online via the MahaDBT portal,” he said.

Additionally, under the CM Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme, 44.06 lakh farmers are receiving free power for agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP, backed by a state subsidy of Rs 28,357 crore over the last two years, said the minister.

Minister Bharane told the house that Maharashtra is leading the nation by integrating cutting-edge technology directly into the fields. “Currently utilised by 40 lakh farmers, the Mahavistar AI app features an AI-powered conversational chatbot providing instant, structured advice on weather and crop management. It also features an automated push-telephony system that has delivered 1.56 crore successful advisory calls,” he said.

Under Phase 2 of the World Bank-assisted Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Project (covering 7,201 villages with a Rs 6,000 crore investment), Maharashtra has become the first state to use the RBI’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This allows resource-poor farmers to purchase agricultural equipment by paying only their personal share upfront, instead of the full amount.

Taking a strict stance against the exploitation of farmers, a historic decision has been made to completely ban “linking” (forcing farmers to buy unapproved micro-nutrients or bio-fertilisers alongside subsidised fertilisers), he said.

“To enforce quality control, 874 inspectors and 44 flying squads have been deployed. Since April 1, 2026, authorities have inspected 69,652 input sellers, seized 970 metric tonnes of agricultural inputs, suspended 1,088 licences, cancelled 220 licences, and registered 94 police cases against fraudulent operators. Farmers can report grievances via a toll-free number (1800-233-4000) or WhatsApp (9822446655),” noted the minister.

Recognising that women contribute the highest amount of physical labour in agriculture, and aligning with the United Nations declaring 2026 as the ‘International Year of Women Farmers,’ the government announced its intention to table the landmark Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill in the current legislative session to secure their legal and economic rights.

He declared that the administration will work with absolute sensitivity to ensure that a prosperous farmer leads to a prosperous Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the Opposition staged a walk out expressing displeasure over the minister’s reply. They claimed that the issues highlighted by them during the discussion were not considered seriously.

–IANS

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