Severe to exceptional drought in Maharashtra threatens soybean, tur dal and cotton crops
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Cropping patterns & irrigation· Prelims + Mains·
Climate-induced water scarcity and its impact on rain-fed agriculture: a GS3 and Agriculture case study.
Why in news
Maharashtra's Water Resources Department reported severe to exceptional drought conditions threatening rain-fed soybean, tur dal, and cotton crops.
Background
Maharashtra produces 4.85 million tonnes of soybean (38.5% of India's 12.6 million tonnes) and 1.18 million tonnes of tur dal (32.8% of 3.59 million tonnes). Dam storage in the state fell to 75.5%, with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar dropping to 45.4%.
Facts for Prelims
- FactMaharashtra produces 38.5% of India's total soybean production (4.85 million tonnes).
- FactMaharashtra produces 32.8% of India's total tur dal production (1.18 million tonnes).
- PlaceChhatrapati Sambhajinagar reported a dam storage level of 45.4%.
- BodyMaharashtra's Water Resources Department is the body reporting dam storage levels.
Prelims practice question
What percentage of India's total tur dal production is accounted for by Maharashtra?
- (a)18.9%
- (b)25.4%
- (c)42.1%
- (d)32.8%
Show answer
Answer: (d) 32.8% — Maharashtra produces 1.18 million tonnes of tur dal, which is 32.8% of India's 3.59 million tonnes.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the impact of erratic rainfall and drought on rain-fed agriculture in Maharashtra and suggest measures to enhance climate resilience for pulse and oilseed crops.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Yield volatility: High dependency on monsoon-fed rain-fed crops for soybean and tur dal production
- Water stress: Rapid depletion of dam storage in districts like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar affecting irrigation
- Food security: Concentration of pulse production in drought-prone regions creating supply-side risks
Keywords: Rain-fed agriculture · Climate resilience · Water stress · Crop diversification · Supply-side risk
More Agriculture notes
- Karnataka faces ₹46,000 crore crop losses as drought hits 217 taluks · 7 October 2026
- Karnataka faces worst drought in 75 years, damaging 90% of crops · 7 October 2026
- Rice prices rise as 26kg bag jumps from ₹1,800 to ₹2,150 · 7 October 2026
- Tamil Nadu records lowest Cauvery river realisation in 14 years during 2026 monsoon · 7 October 2026
- Rajasthan to use 744 inspectors to curb fertiliser hoarding and black marketing · 7 October 2026
- The Maharashtra government will impose a 10 per cent water cut in all local · 6 October 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.