Maharashtra Allocates ₹4 Crore for Farmers' Overseas Tours Amid Drought

In a controversial decision, the Maharashtra government has earmarked ₹4 crore to facilitate study tours for 180 farmers abroad during the 2026-27 period. This initiative is intended to expose farmers to advanced agricultural technologies used in other countries, despite the state grappling with severe drought conditions.

The announcement comes shortly after criticism from opposition leaders, including NCP MLA Rohit Pawar and Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray, regarding a previous ₹5 crore official trip to London. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Uday Samant canceled their attendance at the City Quantum & AI Summit due to the drought, a delegation led by Principal Secretary P Anbalagan proceeded with the trip.

The overseas study tour scheme has been operational since 2004-2005, designed to help farmers understand and implement modern agricultural practices. An official stated that the initiative not only focuses on technology but also encompasses aspects like market demand and agricultural processing, aiming to enhance farmers' capacity through direct interactions with their international counterparts.

In 2025, the government doubled the financial assistance per farmer under this scheme from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh. The subsidy, which was previously set at 50% of travel expenses, has been a point of contention, especially as the state faces significant economic challenges. Currently, over 85% of Maharashtra's talukas are declared drought-affected, with the state's debt projected to reach ₹11.02 lakh crore by the 2026-27 financial year.

Looking ahead, the government is expected to finalize the detailed itinerary for the tours soon, including the countries to be visited. The decision to allocate funds for these tours amidst a drought crisis raises questions about priorities and resource allocation in Maharashtra's agricultural policy.