MUMBAI, 20 June 2025: In a key policy move, Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate announced that the state government will formulate a dedicated policy on agricultural wages to increase productivity and reduce the cost of farming across the state.
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting held at the Mantralaya, where Kokate engaged with members of the Maharashtra State Association of Government Agricultural Award-Winning Farmers to discuss 16 key agricultural issues.
“We are working towards reducing manual labour through agricultural mechanisation schemes and enhancing farmer incomes,” said Minister Kokate. “All suggestions received from stakeholders will be taken positively and integrated into policy planning wherever feasible.”
Advisory Panel, Reforms in Focus
As part of the initiative, the state will constitute an agricultural advisory committee comprising award-winning farmers who will contribute to drafting the agricultural wage policy. A comprehensive proposal will be tabled, focusing on fair wages, mechanisation incentives, and sustainable farming practices.
Further, the government plans reforms in the crop insurance scheme, exemptions for agri-processing units from Gram Panchayat taxes, and increased support for natural farming to boost soil fertility and yields.
Kokate also emphasized the importance of involving agricultural universities and research centres to drive innovation. “We will support research into new crops and adopt technologies that help farmers increase their productivity,” he said.
The minister also assured that representatives from the association will be honored at future award functions, symbolizing a stronger government–farmer partnership.
Farmers’ Voices Heard
Association president Prakash Patil confirmed that the minister patiently heard all concerns and instructed officials to act promptly. “It’s encouraging to see the government open to practical feedback from ground-level farmers,” Patil said.
The announcement signals a shift toward more consultative policymaking in agriculture, aiming to create an environment where both innovation and farmer welfare coexist.
