States » WestPosted at: Sep 29 2026 4:00PM


Farmers’ signatures made mandatory on crop damage assessment reports in drought-hit areas

Mumbai, Sep 29 (UNI) In a significant move aimed at making crop damage assessments more transparent and objective, the Maharashtra government has decided to make the farmer’s signature mandatory on the panchnama (crop damage assessment report) prepared after inspecting affected fields in drought-hit areas.
The decision comes as the state has begun the process of assessing damage to kharif crops in drought-affected regions from September 28. The exercise is aimed at accurately documenting crop losses and ensuring that eligible farmers receive assistance based on the actual extent of damage.
Under the revised procedure, once the panchnama is completed, the farmer concerned will have to sign the document. Earlier, the report was authenticated by the signature of either the village sarpanch or the police patil.
The change is expected to give farmers a direct role in the assessment process and help prevent discrepancies between the actual damage suffered in the field and the details recorded in the official report. The farmer will be able to verify the details recorded during the assessment before the panchnama is finalised.
Officials will inspect the affected fields and record details such as the crop grown, area affected and extent of damage. The information will subsequently form the basis for determining the assistance and relief measures to be extended to affected farmers.
The move assumes significance amid reports of crop losses caused by inadequate and uneven rainfall in several parts of Maharashtra. Soybean, cotton, tur, and other kharif crops have been affected in areas that witnessed prolonged dry spells or insufficient rainfall.
The government has directed the machinery concerned to undertake the assessment in a transparent and objective manner so that genuine losses are properly recorded. Making the farmer’s signature compulsory is expected to increase accountability in the process and ensure that the farmer is aware of the assessment submitted in his or her name.
The crop damage assessment exercise is being undertaken in coordination with the revenue and agriculture departments and other agencies concerned. The reports prepared through the exercise will be important for determining relief and other measures for farmers in drought-affected areas.
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