PANDHARPUR, 7 July 2025: In a landmark move to strengthen Maharashtra’s farming sector, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a massive INR 25,000 crore investment over the next five years to support farmers, modernize infrastructure, and drive higher agricultural productivity.
Speaking at the inauguration of the “Krishi Pandhari” agricultural exhibition hosted by the Pandharpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Fadnavis said the ambitious plan will help reduce input costs while boosting yields across the state.
Transforming Maharashtra’s agricultural landscape
The Chief Minister outlined how the proposed investment will be strategically allocated to build stronger on-farm infrastructure and modernize agricultural practices. This includes: large-scale adoption of drip irrigation systems; distribution of modern mechanized equipment; construction of farm ponds for water storage; provision of high-efficiency irrigation pumps; and training for farmers on new agricultural technologies
“The intention is clear,” Fadnavis said, adding “We want to make agriculture sustainable by reducing costs and increasing productivity.”
Strengthening rural cooperatives and market linkages
An important part of the strategy, the CM added, is empowering rural cooperative development societies. Under new central government guidelines, these cooperatives will be upgraded into multi-purpose rural institutions capable of handling as many as 18 different types of business activities.
“These societies will act as vital bridges between farmers and the market,” Fadnavis emphasized. “They will help farmers secure fair prices for their produce while also enabling storage and value addition.”
Cold storage and warehousing infrastructure will be ramped up to help farmers preserve perishable produce, ensuring they can avoid distress sales and secure better returns.
The broader vision is to transform these cooperatives into rural growth engines — promoting entrepreneurship, offering credit, supporting agri-business activities, and providing marketing services under one roof.
Why this investment matters now
Maharashtra’s agriculture sector, covering over half of the state’s workforce, has been facing multiple challenges ranging from erratic monsoons to rising input costs.
Drip irrigation has already shown positive results in regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha, reducing water usage by up to 50% while increasing yields. However, adoption is still low across many districts due to lack of affordability and infrastructure bottlenecks.
Similarly, mechanization levels in the state remain below the national average. Many small and marginal farmers cannot afford modern implements, making them dependent on labor-intensive practices that drive up production costs.
Through this new INR 25,000 crore investment, the state hopes to remove these barriers, making advanced farming techniques and tools more widely accessible.
Farmers to gain from better storage, marketing, and price discovery
Better cold chain facilities and modern storage units, backed by cooperatives, are likely to improve market access for farmers. With these improvements, farmers can time their sales to coincide with higher price periods, instead of distress selling immediately after harvest.
The CM pointed out that market committees have already helped farmers secure better returns through organized marketing channels. This program will expand their capacity, helping smallholders earn more and stabilize their incomes.
“The farmer is the backbone of our economy, and it is our duty to empower them,” Fadnavis said.
The way forward for Maharashtra’s agriculture
While this announcement has been met with cautious optimism by farming organizations, experts say its success will depend on transparent implementation, proper targeting of subsidies, and consistent monitoring.
Critics point to past issues where funds allocated for agriculture did not always reach the intended beneficiaries. Farmers’ associations have called for strong oversight mechanisms, farmer-friendly documentation, and grievance redressal systems.
Nonetheless, the size and scale of the investment — INR 25,000 crore — has been widely welcomed. If delivered effectively, this program has the potential to transform the agricultural landscape of Maharashtra, making it more resilient to climate shocks while also raising farmer incomes.
As Maharashtra looks to lead India’s push for sustainable and modern agriculture, this initiative could serve as a template for other states looking to modernize their rural economies.
The Maharashtra government’s INR 25,000 crore plan is not just about money — it is a vision to make agriculture viable, profitable, and future-ready. With focused efforts on irrigation, mechanization, marketing, and cooperative empowerment, the program could open a new era for the state’s farmers, setting an example for the rest of India.
