An alarming government report has revealed that 557 farmers died by suicide between January and June 2024 in the Amravati administrative division of Maharashtra, which includes the districts of Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, and Yavatmal, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
The report indicates that Amravati district had the highest number of suicides at 170, followed by Yavatmal with 150, Buldhana with 111, Akola with 92, and Washim with 34. The primary reasons for these suicides include crop failures, inadequate rainfall, overwhelming debt, and the lack of timely farm loans. The government has provided assistance to the families of 53 deceased farmers, but 284 cases are still under investigation.
Balwant Wankhade, Congress MP for Amravati, expressed deep concern over these figures, highlighting Maharashtra’s persistent issue of high farmer suicides, with Amravati being particularly affected. He stressed the importance of the government fulfilling its promises to double farmers’ incomes and provide necessary support.
“Crop losses, lack of adequate rainfall, existing debt burden, and the absence of timely farm loans are driving farmers to take such extreme steps,” Wankhade told the PTI news agency. “The government must deliver on its assurances to support our farmers.”
Nilesh Helonde-Patil, Chairperson of Maharashtra’s Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swavlambi Mission, described the situation as dire and outlined ongoing efforts to address the crisis. “Our local administration is actively reaching out to farmers through various government schemes aimed at increasing their income, supporting their children’s education, and covering medical expenses,” he explained. “We are also working to ensure better communication between farmers and insurance companies,” he told the news agency.
Both Wankhade and Helonde-Patil emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent further farmer suicides. The combined efforts of the local administration and missions like the Shetkari Swavlambi are aimed at providing the necessary support and solutions to help farmers overcome these challenges.
Meanwhile, Abdul Mujeeb Shaikh, Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) in Maharashtra, has raised concerns over the alarming rate of farmer suicides in the state.
“In the absence of bank loans, farmers are often forced to borrow from money lenders at high interest rates. Many farmers do not receive the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce. Small and marginal farmers struggle to afford essential inputs like chemicals, fertilizers, seeds, and equipment such as tractors and submersible pumps,” Shaikh said.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind advocates for zero-interest loans for farmers and a loan waiver scheme for deserving and marginalized farmers. Shaikh urged the government to honor its promise of doubling farmers’ incomes and to develop a time-bound plan to address Maharashtra’s agrarian crisis and end the spate of farmer suicides.