Maharashtra Drought Relief 2026: ₹8,500 a Hectare for Rain-Fed Crops, ₹17,000 Irrigated, ₹22,500 Perennial; ₹5,000 Advance and ₹31,000 Crore Sought From Centre
Drought relief norms pay ₹8,500 a hectare for rain-fed crops, ₹17,000 irrigated and ₹22,500 perennial where losses exceed 33%. Maharashtra has also announced a ₹5,000 advance.
Photo: Christopher Michel / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Under the relief norms Maharashtra has used for its 2026 drought proposal, farmers with crop losses of 33% or more are eligible for ₹8,500 a hectare for rain-fed crops, ₹17,000 a hectare for assured irrigated crops and ₹22,500 a hectare for perennial (orchard) crops. The state has also announced an advance of ₹5,000 to farmers in the drought-declared talukas, to be paid into bank accounts before Diwali.
Where things stand
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| 25 September 2026 | Drought declared in 265 talukas |
| 14 October 2026 | 40 more added, taking the total to 305 of 358 talukas; ₹5,000 advance announced |
| 31 October 2026 | State sends a proposal seeking about ₹31,000 crore from the Centre |
The proposal says kharif crops on 1.415 crore hectares suffered losses of more than 33%, out of 1.66 crore hectares assessed across 37,496 villages, the Free Press Journal reported. Some reports put the number of talukas in the proposal at 304. The state also plans a separate request for rabi-season help.
Compensation rates
| Crop type | Relief per hectare (33% or more loss) |
|---|---|
| Rain-fed (jirayati) | ₹8,500 |
| Assured irrigated (bagayati) | ₹17,000 |
| Perennial and orchard crops | ₹22,500 |
Relief is usually paid for a capped area per farmer, as fixed in the government resolution. The state has not yet announced the final payout schedule.
Other drought concessions
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said all 12 standard drought concessions apply in the 305 talukas, including crop loan restructuring, a pause on loan recovery, land revenue concessions, waivers of exam fees for students, free power for farm pumps up to 7.5 HP, water tankers and fodder purchase at MSP.
What farmers should do
- Make sure your crop is recorded in e-Peek Pahani and your field panchnama has been done.
- Keep your Aadhaar-linked bank account active for direct transfer.
- Register for an AgriStack Farmer ID, increasingly needed for state benefits.
- If you are missing from the list, approach your talathi or tehsil office promptly.
See the district-level picture in our report on crop losses in Jalgaon and Nashik and which Pune talukas are drought-hit.
Final compensation depends on the state’s government resolution, the panchnama of your field and the Centre’s decision on assistance. Confirm with your talathi or taluka office.
Frequently asked questions
How much drought compensation per hectare do farmers get in Maharashtra?
Under the norms used in the 2026 proposal, ₹8,500 for rain-fed crops, ₹17,000 for irrigated crops and ₹22,500 for perennial crops, for losses of 33% or more.
How many talukas are drought-hit in Maharashtra in 2026?
305 of 358 talukas after 40 were added on 14 October 2026.
Who will get the ₹5,000 drought advance?
Farmers in the drought-declared talukas, paid directly to bank accounts, as announced by the Chief Minister on 14 October 2026.
How much has Maharashtra asked from the Centre for drought relief?
About ₹31,000 crore, in a proposal sent on 31 October 2026.
