Lamjana Farmers Block Latur-Hyderabad Highway Over Drought, Demand ₹2 Lakh Aid

Hyderabad-Latur highway at Maharashtra’s Lamjana village was blocked by farmers for more than two hours, with protesters demanding immediate drought relief, compensation for crop losses and a higher incentive for those who have regularly repaid their agricultural loans. The August 23 protest highlighted growing agricultural distress in Marathwada, with farmers citing inadequate rainfall, low prices for farm produce, rising input costs and mounting debt.

The agitation was led by Rajiv Kasbe, Maharashtra unit president of the Krantikari Shetkari Sanghatna. Protesters demanded an incentive subsidy of ₹2 lakh for every farmer who has regularly repaid farm loans. They also called for an immediate drought declaration across Marathwada and sought ₹50,000 compensation for every farmer affected by crop losses.

The protest came at a critical stage of the kharif season, as prolonged gaps in rainfall have raised concerns over crop conditions in the region. Farmers who have already invested in seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, labour and other inputs face the prospect of losing both their crops and cultivation expenses if dry conditions persist. Marathwada's dependence on monsoon rainfall and its history of recurring water stress make prolonged rainfall gaps particularly damaging to farm incomes.

The loan incentive demand also comes against the backdrop of Maharashtra's ₹36,585-crore farm-loan waiver scheme, approved earlier this year. Under the package, eligible crop loans of up to ₹2 lakh are to be waived, while farmers who have regularly repaid their crop loans can receive an incentive of up to ₹50,000. The Lamjana protesters, however, are seeking to raise that incentive to ₹2 lakh, arguing that farmers who have maintained repayment discipline despite financial difficulties deserve greater support.

The state scheme covers more than 65 lakh loan accounts, with the loan-waiver component expected to benefit around 56 lakh farmers. Under the regular-repayment component, eligible farmers are those who repaid crop loans within the prescribed period in at least two of the three financial years from 2022-23 to 2024-25.

Implementation of the relief programme has already begun. On August 8, the Maharashtra government transferred ₹5,027 crore through direct benefit transfer to 6.2 lakh farmer accounts. The wider programme is expected to eventually benefit around 54.6 lakh farmers through the disbursement process.

For the protesting farmers, however, the existing measures do not adequately address the immediate crisis. They want the government to recognise the financial burden carried by regular loan repayers while providing urgent assistance to cultivators facing crop losses. Kasbe warned that the organisation would expand the agitation across Maharashtra and intensify its street movement if the demands were not accepted.

The protesters also warned that continued inaction could make it difficult for ministers and MLAs to move freely through villages, adding a political dimension to the agitation.

The farmers eventually dispersed after the highway blockade, allowing traffic to resume. However, the protest has placed renewed pressure on the Maharashtra government over the combined challenges of rainfall stress, crop losses, farm debt and rising cultivation costs, while highlighting growing demands for stronger financial support for farmers who continue to repay their agricultural loans.