Flood-Hit farmers in Maharashtra say that recovery may take up to five years.

Torrential rains and severe floods have left a mark of destruction across Maharashtra, with 31 under water falling under water. The floods have damaged over 5 million hectares of crops, which destroys the livelihood of thousands of farmers who are now afraid of a long and uncertain road for recovery.

Crops such as cotton, soybean, oranges, pomegranates, maize, millet, pulses and onions have been killed. Many farmers say that their fields have been given infertility due to soil erosion and deposition of stones on the banks of flood water.

“The cost of soybean is ₹ 50,000 per hectare. The rains did not destroy my crops, I must have earned at least 2 lakhs and 2 lakhs,” said Rajendra Akolkar, a farmer from Ahilaanagar district, who was submerged during torrential rains.

The Maharashtra government has said that crops have suffered extensive damage in 31 districts and have approved compensation of more than 2,000 crores for more than 31 lakh affected farmers. However, in some worst hit areas, farmers told CNBC-TV18 that the damage is far ahead of crop destruction, with long-term effects on soil fertility and productivity. Another farmer from Karanji village said, “It will take us four to five years to recover.”

While the state government says that the situation remains serious, it has sought assistance from the Center under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) quota. However, the opposition and the farmer groups are demanding that the government announce this ‘wet drought’ year to ensure large financial relief and policy assistance.

The state has launched a survey to assess the damage limit and determine the compensation to be paid, but the opposition alleges that the government is failing to function decisively. Meanwhile, many farmers are afraid that help, whether approved, may be delayed or inadequate.

Waterfalls and crops have been destroyed along with the fields, Maharashtra’s agricultural economy faces a major shock. For many farmers, it may take years to rebuild their livelihood and restore their fields for productivity – a recovery, as they say, “will not be easy or quick.”