Maharashtra Farmers Get Double Relief as ₹23.33 Crore Crop Aid and Higher Pulse Seed Subsidy Announced

State Approves Financial Assistance for 17,245 Farmers Affected by Natural Calamities

Maharashtra farmers are set to receive support through two important government measures aimed at reducing financial pressure and improving agricultural productivity.

The Maharashtra government has approved ₹23.33 crore in financial assistance for 17,245 farmers whose crops were damaged by floods, heavy rainfall, cyclones and hailstorms during June and July 2026. At the same time, the Centre has increased subsidies on certified pulse seeds, giving farmers growing tur, urad and lentils access to subsidies of up to 100 percent.

The crop damage assistance covers 11,207.79 hectares across different parts of Maharashtra. Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil said the approved assistance will be transferred directly to eligible farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

A Government Resolution approving the relief was issued by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department on August 27.

Amravati Division Gets Largest Share of Crop Damage Relief

Amravati division has received the largest allocation under the latest relief package. A total of ₹13.80 crore has been approved for 9,683 farmers affected across Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal and Buldhana districts.

In the Pune division, which covers Pune and Satara districts, ₹9.13 crore has been sanctioned for 6,885 affected farmers.

The government has also approved ₹38.87 lakh for 661 farmers in Wardha district under the Nagpur division. In Sindhudurg district of the Konkan division, ₹41,000 has been sanctioned for 16 farmers.

Relief Money to Reach Farmers Without Loan Deductions

Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil has directed authorities to ensure that the relief amount reaches farmers without any deductions.

Banks have been instructed not to use the assistance for recovery of previous loans or transfer the money into loan accounts. District collectors have been asked to issue clear directions to banks so eligible beneficiaries receive the full amount directly.

The government has also instructed tehsildars and district collectors to prevent duplicate payments. Once the distribution is completed, district administrations will publish beneficiary lists and details of the assistance on their official websites.

The relief measures are intended to provide timely financial support to farmers who suffered losses because of severe weather conditions.

Centre Increases Pulse Seed Subsidy to 100 Percent

Along with the state crop damage assistance, pulse farmers are also expected to benefit from a major change in certified seed subsidies under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses.

Under revised guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on August 28, farmers growing tur, urad and lentils can now receive a subsidy of up to 100 percent on certified seeds of varieties released within the last five years.

The assistance will be limited to ₹12,000 per quintal.

For gram and other pulses, the subsidy has been increased to 75 percent, subject to a maximum of ₹6,000 per quintal, whichever is lower.

The revised provisions will apply from August 28, 2026, under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period.

Higher Support Also Available for Older Seed Varieties

The revised scheme also provides increased assistance for certified pulse varieties that are more than five years old but less than 10 years old.

For tur, urad and lentil, farmers can receive a subsidy of 75 percent or up to ₹9,000 per quintal. For gram and other pulses, the subsidy will be 50 percent or up to ₹4,000 per quintal.

This represents an increase over the earlier assistance, which was capped at ₹3,000 per quintal for tur, urad and lentil and ₹2,000 per quintal for gram.

The scheme also provides ₹30 per hectare in assistance for the Krishi Mapper under its flexi component.

Maharashtra Pushes for Greater Use of Certified Seeds

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne had earlier sought higher assistance for certified pulse seeds.

In a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 8, Bharne requested that the subsidy be increased from 50 percent to 100 percent. He highlighted the higher cost faced by farmers and the need to encourage greater use of certified seeds.

Bharne said wider adoption of quality seeds could improve the seed replacement rate, productivity and overall pulse production in Maharashtra.

He has also encouraged farmers planning to grow gram during the upcoming rabi season to take advantage of the enhanced subsidy and certified seeds available through the national mission.

Combined Support Brings Relief and New Opportunities for Farmers

The two measures provide support at different stages of farming. The ₹23.33 crore state relief package is focused on farmers who have already suffered crop losses from natural calamities, while the revised central seed subsidy aims to reduce the cost of quality seeds and support future production.

With direct financial assistance for affected farmers and stronger support for certified pulse seeds, the latest measures are expected to provide immediate relief while also encouraging better farm productivity across Maharashtra.