Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne on Wednesday stated that kharif crops on 20.12 lakh hectares have been severely impacted by recent heavy rains and floods, pledging support for farmers facing significant losses, news agency PTI reported. Bharne made the statement after visiting Washim and Nanded districts to assess the damage.

In a media briefing in Washim, the agriculture minister revealed that nearly 20.12 lakh hectares of standing crops had been damaged. He noted that Washim and Nanded bore the brunt of the damage, with other districts, including Yavatmal, Buldhana, Akola, Solapur, Hingoli, Dharashiv, Parbhani, Amravati, and Jalgaon, also reporting crop losses.

“Soybean, corn, and cotton have been the worst affected due to the excess rainfall. Additionally, fruit crops, bajra, sugarcane, onion, jowar, and turmeric have also suffered,” Bharne stated, adding that revenue and agriculture department officials had inspected the affected areas to assess the crop losses, reported PTI. He reassured farmers that the state government would extend immediate assistance to those impacted.