Kharif Boost: ₹400 Crore Pending Subsidy for Drip Irrigation and Farm Machinery to be Released by May End
In a significant relief for Maharashtra's farmers ahead of the Kharif season, over ₹400 crore in pending subsidies for drip irrigation and agricultural implements are expected to be credited by the end of May 2026. The central government has released the first installment of funds early this year, paving the way for immediate disbursement once the state provides its matching share.
The wait for thousands of farmers in Maharashtra is finally nearing an end. As of April 29, 2026, official sources indicate that over ₹400 crore in overdue subsidies for drip irrigation systems and farm machinery are likely to be deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts by May 31. Traditionally, central funds for the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) are not received until the second half of the financial year, often disrupting farmers' planning for the Kharif season. However, this year, the Centre has made a proactive move by releasing the first installment in April itself.
The Central Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has approved a total of ₹671.65 crore for the state under RKVY. Out of this, the first installment of ₹335.83 crore has been transferred through the 'SNA-Sparsh' system. According to Ashok Kumar, Under Secretary to the Union Ministry, the breakdown of the released funds is as follows:
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General Category: ₹264.63 Crore
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Scheduled Castes: ₹39.63 Crore
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Scheduled Tribes: ₹31.57 Crore
The highest amount of pending subsidy is under the Farm Mechanization scheme, with approximately ₹218 crore slated for distribution. For Drip and Micro-Irrigation, about ₹208 crore will be disbursed. Vinaykumar Awate, Director of Agriculture (Processing and Planning), confirmed that since the central share has been received before the Kharif sowing period, the department is now waiting for the state's matching grant to complete the payout by the end of May. This timely release is expected to provide much-needed liquidity to farmers for purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and maintaining equipment for the upcoming sowing cycle.
