Natural calamities hit crops on 605 lakh hectares in 9 yrs in Maharashtra; Rs 54,600 cr relief paid

Nation

XMumbai: Maharashtra has lost crops on more than 605 lakh hectares of farmland to heavy rains, hailstorms and droughts in the past nine years with more than Rs 54,600 crore being paid as compensation to the affected farmers, according to government data. The state has witnessed a significant rise in excessive rainfall since 2019, with the current kharif season already recording severe losses, said an official from the state agriculture department on Thursday. "The cumulative figure of loss of crops on agricultural land is 605.26 lakh hectares. It is also true that some areas or villages have been hit multiple times in the last nine years. The total assistance paid to farmers over the past nine years amounts to Rs 54,679.17 crore," said an official from the agriculture department.