Drought Declared in 4 Districts of Gujarat; Farmers to Receive Assistance of ₹8,500 per Hectare
The Gujarat government has announced financial assistance for farmers affected by drought in the districts of Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, and Kutch. According to available information, eligible farmers will receive assistance at a rate of ₹8,500 per hectare, in accordance with the guidelines of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). This benefit will be limited to a maximum of 2 hectares of cropped area. It has been stated that the distribution of relief will commence on November 1, 2026.
Maximum Assistance of ₹17,000 for Farmers
Based on the prescribed rate, eligible farmers can receive a total assistance of up to ₹17,000 for a maximum of 2 hectares of cropped area. Farmers owning more than 2 hectares of land will also be eligible for assistance, but only for a maximum of 2 hectares under this provision. The actual disbursement will be made in accordance with government guidelines and eligibility criteria.
Provisions for relief have also been outlined for livestock owners in the drought-affected areas. It is reported that assistance of ₹80 per animal, per day, will be provided for a period of two months to facilitate the procurement of animal fodder. Furthermore, it is mentioned that payments at a rate of ₹150 will be made under the 'VB-G Ramji' scheme to provide employment in rural areas. Official confirmation of these provisions is required.
305 Talukas in Maharashtra Declared Drought-Affected
In Maharashtra, the agricultural sector is facing a deepening crisis due to deficient rainfall. According to available reports, the state government declared 265 talukas as drought-affected in September 2026. With the addition of 40 more talukas in October, this figure has risen to 305. This accounts for approximately 85.2% of the state's total 358 talukas.
The affected regions encompass several agricultural areas, including Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Nashik. The situation in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division is also reported to be critical due to a lack of rainfall.
Relief Measures for Farmers in Maharashtra
According to reports, the Maharashtra government had announced an advance payment of ₹5,000 to be credited to the bank accounts of drought-affected farmers before Diwali. Furthermore, several relief measures have been outlined, including waivers on land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, a moratorium on the recovery of agricultural loans, concessions on electricity bills for agricultural water pumps, waivers of examination fees for students, and the provision of water tankers and fodder for livestock.
The final compensation to be received by farmers will be determined based on an assessment of the losses and established eligibility criteria. Details regarding relief amounts, the list of affected areas, and the status of payments in Gujarat and Maharashtra should be verified through official notifications issued by the respective state governments.
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