Maha's dry spell triggers crop crisis; Dattatray Bharne says aid to farmers top priority

Mumbai/Pune, Sep 21 (UNI) Expressing deep concern over severe crop damage-particularly to soybean and cotton-due to a prolonged dry spell across Maharashtra, State Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne has assured that the state government stands resolutely with the farming community. Addressing the media regarding the mounting agrarian crisis, Bharne emphasised that providing prompt financial and administrative aid to distressed farmers remains the topmost priority of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar. Acknowledging the grave drought-like conditions gripping Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, Bharne stated that a multi-pronged relief strategy is being deployed, combining NDRF norms, direct…