Nagpur: In yet another distressing incident highlighting the worsening agrarian crisis in Vidarbha, a soyabean farmer from Nagpur district set his crop ablaze after it was completely destroyed by unseasonal rainfall at the end of October.

The farmer, identified as Vijay Ambore, owns four acres of agricultural land and had borrowed ₹1.79 lakh from a bank to cultivate soyabean. After harvesting the crop, Ambore had stored the yield in his field, hoping to sell it in the coming days. However, unexpected heavy rainfall at the end of October soaked and spoiled the entire produce, leaving him in despair. Overcome by frustration and helplessness, Ambore reportedly set the damaged crop on fire.

The incident comes amid growing unrest among farmers across Maharashtra, where flood-like situations, crop losses, and mounting debts have led to widespread distress. The issue has gained political traction ahead of the upcoming local body elections, with opposition leaders and farmer groups criticizing the state government for inadequate relief measures.

Notably, this episode follows recent farmer agitations in Nagpur led by former minister Bacchu Kadu, demanding compensation for rain-hit cultivators and stronger crop insurance mechanisms.

Farmers’ organizations have once again urged the administration to conduct a swift panchnama (damage assessment) and provide immediate financial aid to affected cultivators, warning that continued neglect could further intensify rural distress in the region.