Climate change seems to be hitting lakhs of farming families. According to government records, in the past nine years, 519 lakh hectares of farmland across the state have been damaged due to unseasonal rain between 2015 and 2024. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, too, admitted that climate change was a major reason for repeated losses, noting how even the rain-deficient Marathwada was now reeling under excess rainfall.
During his visit to affected areas in Solapur and Latur on Wednesday, in his interaction with the media, Fadnavis said, “Vatavaran badal [climate change] has made a lot of difference.” According to a rough estimate, around 30 lakh hectares of agricultural land have been lost.
Another worry for many farmers is soil erosion and a decrease in soil fertility, which can negatively affect crop yields. As per the economic survey of Maharashtra, the average agricultural land holding of a farmer is about 1.34 hectares (3.33 acres of land). Whereas in regions such as Vidarbha, the average land holding is higher, close to five acres.
Mantralaya officials believe that the amount of damage suffered by farmers could be much higher than estimated, and only after the panchanama process is completed and details are submitted to the government, the actual picture will come to light. Aware that in the coming years, climate change will be an issue of major concern, the Indian government has started studying patterns and methods that one needs to adapt to face the changes.
