In a farmer-friendly decision, Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed the legislative assembly on Tuesday that the ‘E-Pik Pahani’ deadline for 2025-26 Rabi crops now stands at March 31, 2026.
Registration kicked off on January 25, 2026, at the assistant level, yet progress lags with just 55.69% completion. About 45% of farmers are yet to register their Rabi crops.
The extension ensures no one misses out on vital benefits like crop insurance and other state schemes, which require this electronic verification.
To boost efficiency, Bawankule has mandated better synergy between key commissioners for faster ‘AgriStack’ data uploads. Precision in crop verification remains a top priority.
Meanwhile, State Cooperation Minister Pankaj Bhoyar endorsed giving preference to women’s cooperatives in labor society projects.
Across the state, agencies hand over tasks worth under Rs 10 lakh, e-tendered contracts, and district-level assignments to labor cooperatives.
At a recent meeting, Bhoyar pointed out the absence of a unified monitoring system. He called for data aggregation at the district sub-registrar level.
Directives include creating an online portal where project payments are linked to prior registration by assigning departments.
A dedicated oversight committee will review allocations and prioritize women-led groups, delivering recommendations to guide policy ahead.
These steps reflect Maharashtra’s commitment to digital agriculture and inclusive cooperative growth.