Triple Crisis in India’s Farmlands: Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh Hit by Floods, Rains, and Crop Disease
06 September 2025, New Delhi: India’s agricultural heartlands are reeling under a triple crisis as Punjab, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh face widespread crop destruction due to floods, relentless monsoon rains, and a viral outbreak in soybeans.
Millions of acres of kharif crops have been lost, triggering urgent calls for financial relief. The widespread crop losses are posing a severe threat to farmer incomes while putting India’s food security under significant strain.
Punjab Floods Submerge 4 Lakh Acres of Farmland
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian has appealed to the Centre for an immediate relief package after floods inundated over four lakh acres of farmland. The districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Kapurthala were the worst affected, with standing paddy crops suffering the heaviest losses just weeks ahead of harvest. Livestock losses have compounded the distress among rural households.
“Punjab’s contribution to the nation’s food security cannot be overlooked. These floods have caused unprecedented destruction to crops, rural infrastructure, and livelihoods,” Khudian said. He requested an increase in crop damage compensation from ₹6,800 per acre to ₹50,000 per acre and urged the release of ₹8,000 crore from the Rural Development Fund and Market Development Fund to help the state recover.
Maharashtra Reels Under Monsoon Devastation
In Maharashtra, relentless monsoon rains between August 15 and 20 submerged nearly 14.44 lakh hectares across 29 districts. Nanded was the worst-hit district, with 6.20 lakh hectares under water, followed by Washim, Yavatmal, and Dharashiv. Crops including soybean, cotton, maize, urad, tur, moong, vegetables, fruits, bajra, sugarcane, onion, jowar, and turmeric have been affected.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane assured that damage assessments are nearly complete and that all affected farmers will receive compensation. The state government also announced a major relief measure under the Mukhyamantri Baliraja Yojana, allocating ₹2,172 crore to MahaDiscom to provide free electricity to farmers using agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP capacity from April 2024 to March 2029. This initiative aims to reduce irrigation costs and support crop protection efforts.
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Madhya Pradesh Soybean Crops Threatened by Yellow Mosaic Virus
Madhya Pradesh, India’s leading soybean-producing state, is facing a severe outbreak of Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV) in Mandsaur and neighbouring districts. The infection has affected crop health and productivity across several villages, raising concerns over yield losses and regional oilseed production targets for 2025.
District Collector Aditi Garg has ordered an immediate survey of the affected areas. Joint teams from the Revenue and Agriculture Departments, along with local patwaris, are assessing the extent of damage. The administration has assured farmers of full support and timely financial relief, urging them to remain calm while following recommended crop protection measures, including insecticide application and integrated management practices.
Impact on Rabi Crop Planning
The destruction of kharif crops across Punjab, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh is expected to accelerate preparations for the upcoming Rabi season. Farmers are likely to begin early land preparation and sowing to recover from losses and ensure timely planting, which will be critical for sustaining production and securing incomes. Adequate soil moisture will support timely sowing this year. Agricultural experts have emphasized that careful planning and adequate support measures will be essential to prevent further setbacks in the Rabi season.
Urgent Relief and Policy Intervention Needed
The simultaneous crises across Punjab, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh highlight the vulnerability of India’s agrarian landscape to climatic and biological challenges. With millions of farmers affected, state governments are pressing the Union Government for immediate financial aid, enhanced compensation packages, and long-term support measures to restore agricultural productivity and safeguard national food security.
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