Farmers urged to wait for stable rains

Farmers in Maharashtra have been urged to delay sowing until stable rainfall improves soil moisture, reducing crop risks this monsoon

Commodity Desk

MUMBAI

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane on Wednesday urged farmers not to rush into sowing despite the arrival of monsoon showers in parts of the state, advising them to wait until rainfall stabilises and soil moisture becomes adequate.

  Replying to a discussion in the legislative assembly, Bharane said the monsoon had reached parts of Maharashtra over the past two days and expressed hope of more widespread rainfall across the state in the coming days. 

  He stressed that premature sowing could expose crops to moisture stress if rainfall remains uneven. “Farmers should not hurry with sowing. They should first assess moisture levels in their fields and begin sowing only after ensuring adequate soil moisture. We expect good rainfall in the next three to four days,” he said. 

  The minister said the state agriculture department is working closely with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the India Meteorological Department, along with agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, to help farmers manage weather uncertainties, including possible disruptions linked to El Niño.

  He said the government is promoting climate-resilient crop varieties, scientific farming methods and improved water management practices to strengthen agricultural resilience.   The push comes as Maharashtra continues to recover from weather-related crop damage seen last year.

 Bharane said nearly ₹20,000 crore in relief had been provided to farmers affected by excessive rainfall in 2025, which damaged crops, farmland, wells, electric pumps and other agricultural infrastructure. He added that efforts were under way to ensure assistance reaches all eligible beneficiaries. 

  On crop insurance, the minister said compensation worth ₹1,523 crore had already been approved and distributed, while disbursement of the remaining ₹59 crore is under way.  He assured the House that no farmer who had genuinely suffered crop losses would be denied insurance benefits. Highlighting preparations for the ongoing Kharif season, Bharane said Maharashtra has adequate stocks of fertilisers and seeds.  The Centre has allocated 43.8 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers to the state, while more than 42 lakh metric tonnes are currently available.  Seed availability also remains comfortable at 28 lakh tonnes against demand of around 20 lakh tonnes. He also announced that a centrally sponsored Cotton Productivity Mission will be implemented from 2026-27 to 2030-31, aimed at improving yields, promoting scientific cultivation and enhancing incomes of cotton growers, particularly in Vidarbha and Marathwada, where cotton remains central to the rural economy.

 With monsoon patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable, the state’s cautious approach reflects a stronger focus on risk management in agriculture. Timely advisories, adequate input availability and targeted policy support will be crucial in protecting crop yields, improving farm resilience and ensuring stable rural incomes during the Kharif season.

(With inputs from PTI)