Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government will observe 2016 as the "Year of Farmers Self-respect" at a time when the state is battling severe drought and agrarian distress.

Presenting the state Budget for 2016-17 in the Assembly, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced that 2016 will be observed as "Shetkari Swabhiman Varsha" (Year of Farmers Self-respect) in view of the prevailing drought in parts of Maharashtra and problems faced by agriculturists.