**Executive Summary**
On March 27, 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Shri Dattatraya Vithoba Bharne to review the progress of agricultural schemes. The meeting addressed critical issues including funding for mechanization, compensation for crop damage caused by unseasonal rains, and the procurement of surplus onion production. Key action items include the mobilization of 52 grievance teams and the optimization of benefits under national insurance and development schemes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Financial and Scheme Requests**
* Maharashtra has requested additional central fund allocations specifically for drip irrigation and agricultural mechanization.
* The Union Minister urged the state government to take proactive measures to fully utilize the benefits provided under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
* **Disaster Relief and Insurance**
* A central team has completed an assessment of damage caused to mango and cashew crops in coastal Maharashtra due to unseasonal rainfall.
* Union officials have been directed to ensure that affected farmers receive maximum possible benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
* **Institutional Framework and Support**
* Under the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, 52 dedicated teams have been established to address farmer-specific issues.
* The progress of these initiatives is subject to regular official reviews to ensure effective implementation.
* **Market and Procurement**
* Following reports of high onion production, Maharashtra requested the Union Ministry to facilitate direct procurement from farmers through Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs).
* The Union Minister assured that appropriate steps would be taken to address the onion procurement request.
**Impact Analysis**
**Maharashtra State Government**
**Impact**
The state government is positioned to receive increased support for irrigation and mechanization, provided it optimizes current scheme utilization.
**Action Required**
Must proactively implement RKVY benefits and coordinate with central authorities for the requested additional funding and onion procurement logistics.
**Farmers (Mango, Cashew, and Onion growers)**
**Impact**
Farmers affected by unseasonal weather are eligible for prioritized insurance payouts, and onion growers may gain improved market access through direct procurement.
**Action Required**
Farmers should engage with the 52 constituted teams to address grievances and ensure their claims are processed under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
**Union Ministry Officials**
**Impact**
Officials are tasked with oversight of disaster relief distribution and the management of regional grievance teams.
**Action Required**
Must ensure the 52 teams under 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' are operational and facilitate the direct procurement process for onions through APMCs as assured.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: A crop insurance scheme mentioned for providing maximum benefits to farmers in Maharashtra affected by crop damage from unseasonal rainfall.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): A central agricultural development scheme that the Union Minister urged the state of Maharashtra to fully utilize.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan: An initiative involving 52 teams constituted to address issues faced by farmers and monitor progress.
Maharashtra: The state central to the policy discussion, fund allocation requests for irrigation, and crop loss assessments.
Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC): Regulatory marketing boards through which direct procurement of onions from farmers was requested.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan meets Maharashtra Agriculture Minister
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 10:27PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan met Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Shri Dattatraya Vithoba Bharne in New Delhi today.
During the meeting, the Maharashtra Agriculture Minister apprised the Union Minister of the progress of
various schemes being implemented in the state under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
He specifically requested the allocation of additional funds for agricultural mechanisation and drip
irrigation.
Shri Bharne also informed the Union Agriculture Minister about the damage caused to mango and cashew
crops in the coastal regions of the state due to unseasonal rains. In this regard, officials from the Union
Ministry of Agriculture stated that a central team had already visited the state to assess the losses.
Taking note of the damage caused to crops due to unseasonal rainfall, Union Agriculture Minister Shri
Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed officials to ensure that farmers in the state receive the maximum possible
benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan further stated that under the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, 52 teams have
been constituted to address the issues faced by farmers, and the progress of the initiative is being reviewed
regularly. He also urged the state to take proactive steps to fully utilise the benefits of the Rashtriya Krishi
Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
During the meeting, the Maharashtra Agriculture Minister also informed that onion production in the state
has been higher this year. He requested the Union Minister to facilitate arrangements for direct
procurement from farmers through APMCs. In response, the Union Agriculture Minister assured that
appropriate steps would be taken in this regard.
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