Crop loss assessment completed in 10 drought-hit talukas; damage reported on 5 lakh hectares

Nashik: Crop damage assessments have been completed across 10 drought-hit talukas in Nashik district, revealing agricultural losses on over 5.07 lakh hectares and affecting more than 5.16 lakh farmers. In response, the agriculture department is set to seek Rs485.32 crore in compensation from the state government to mitigate the severe losses caused by a prolonged dry spell during the 2026 kharif season.

Officials from the agriculture and revenue departments stated that the final joint assessment report, covering the monsoon period between June and Sept 2026, has been finalised for the 10 talukas included in the first phase of the state’s drought declaration under the trigger-1 category. Meanwhile, the process of conducting panchnamas is still underway in three additional talukas that were later included in the state’s secondary drought list.

According to the official assessment, 2,409 villages across Malegaon, Baglan (Satana), Nandgaon, Kalwan, Deola, Surgana, Peth, Igatpuri, Sinnar, and Yeola talukas were severely hit by deficient rainfall and the extended dry spell. A total of 5,16,260 landholders have been formally identified as eligible for state relief.

The comprehensive survey revealed that crops spread across 5,07,164 hectares suffered extensive damage. Maize emerged as the worst-hit crop, accounting for losses on 2.29 lakh hectares.

Other heavily impacted crops include soybean over 75,810 hectares, paddy over 67,997 hectares, cotton 28,221 hectares, Bajra 23,259 hectares, pomegranate 17,562 hectares and grapes 2,778 hectares. Malegaon taluka recorded the highest extent of devastation, with kharif crops destroyed across 1.07 lakh hectares, impacting more than one lakh farmers across 319 villages.

Baglan taluka was the second worst-affected region, reporting crop losses on 74,151 hectares. Experts said inadequate rainfall during crucial crop growth stages resulted in severe moisture stress, decimating both agricultural and high-value horticultural crops.

Countless cultivators faced total crop failures and dismal yields due to the prolonged absence of effective rainfall during the monsoon cycle. Based on these final numbers, the agriculture department is drafting a formal financial proposal seeking Rs485.32 crore in emergency compensation.

The proposal will be submitted to the state govt shortly. While the relief calculations for these initial 10 talukas have been locked in, officials noted that field assessments in the remaining three drought-affected talukas are progressing rapidly.

The total extent of damage and additional compensation required for those areas will be determined once their respective panchnama processes are wrapped up. With over five lakh hectares compromised, Nashik remains among the worst drought-hit districts in Maharashtra this year.

The proposed compensation package is expected to provide critical financial support to families struggling to survive the economic fallout of the dry spell. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nashik | Silver Rate in Nashik | Bank Holidays in Nashik | Public Holidays in Nashik | Petrol Price in Nashik | Diesel Price in Nashik | CNG Price in Nashik | LPG Price in Nashik Stay updated with the latest Nashik news.