Amravati Collector Requests ₹734 Crore for Drought Relief
The Amravati district seeks substantial financial aid to support farmers affected by severe drought conditions.
Amravati district has reported a 44% rainfall deficit during the kharif season.
A proposal for ₹734 crore in compensation has been submitted to the state government.
Over 5 lakh farmers have experienced significant crop losses, prompting urgent mitigation measures.
In response to a significant 44% deficit in rainfall during the 2026 kharif season, the Amravati district administration has initiated a comprehensive drought-mitigation strategy. District Collector Ashish Yerekar announced that a proposal requesting ₹734 crore in compensation for affected farmers has been forwarded to the state government following the completion of crop damage assessments across all 14 tehsils.
The agricultural landscape has seen a shift this year, with cotton cultivation surpassing soyabean acreage. However, the yield for soyabean has plummeted from approximately 11 quintals per acre last year to just 5.7 quintals this season, raising alarms among local farmers. In total, 516,256 farmers have reported crop losses, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
To address the crisis, the district has a livestock population of 847,139, with fodder supplies estimated to last for about 100 days. To safeguard local resources, the administration has prohibited the transportation of fodder outside the district and restricted the entry of livestock from other regions for grazing. Additionally, a fodder development initiative worth ₹2.5 crore will be launched to cultivate fodder crops in silted reservoir areas.
The administration has planned to undertake 1,888 water scarcity mitigation projects across 1,028 villages, with an investment of ₹32 crore. Efforts are being made to minimize the adverse effects on farmers and local communities. To enhance groundwater recharge, over 1,700 recharge shafts are set to be constructed. The current status of reservoir storage is concerning, with the Upper Wardha dam at 48.11% capacity and other projects showing similar declines.
Looking ahead, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) has been instructed to ensure a 12-hour uninterrupted power supply for agricultural needs and to promptly repair any faulty agricultural feeders. Yerekar emphasized that any lapses in these directives would result in disciplinary action. Furthermore, all government officials are required to remain at their headquarters and seek permission to leave following the declaration of drought conditions.
