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Woman farm labourer harvesting crop in Huzur block of MP. Photo credit: Ground Report
Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact a mental health professional.
Between January and March 2025, Maharashtra reported 767 farmer suicides. State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil revealed this in a written reply to the legislative council on July 1.
This means one farmer died by suicide every three hours during this period.
Patil said the highest number of suicides came from the Vidarbha region. Out of the 767 cases, 373 were found eligible for financial aid. Families of 327 deceased farmers have received compensation of ₹1 lakh each. The remaining 46 cases are currently being processed. Meanwhile, 200 cases were declared ineligible, and 194 are pending inquiry, reported Indian Express.
Patil also said the state is offering psychological counselling to farmers struggling with stress and depression. He added that efforts are underway to raise the minimum support price and improve irrigation.
The opposition questioned the effectiveness of these steps. “Every day, farmers are dying by suicide, and yet the government remains indifferent,” said Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar during the assembly session on July 3. “Of the 767 suicides, 200 families were denied aid, and 194 are still waiting.”
Opposition leaders staged a walkout over the issue, as well as non-payment to soybean farmers whose crops were procured by government agencies.
Official records show that 2,635 farmers died by suicide in 2024 and 2,851 in 2023.
Activists also questioned the state’s response. In a letter to the chief minister dated June 30, Vishnu Dhoble of the Samajwadi Janparishad wrote that the state had failed to act, despite sanctioning ₹60,000 crore for irrigation works in 2023.
“More than 3,000 farmer suicides have been reported from the region in the last three years,” Dhoble wrote, citing revenue department data.
Separately, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate said the cabinet has approved a new crop insurance scheme.
“Insurance will not be available in areas where sowing hasn’t been done,” Kokate said. “Loss will be assessed after harvest, and compensation will be given in case of complete damage. The new scheme will save ₹5,000 crore.”
But the plan sparked a sharp response from the opposition. Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve challenged Kokate’s explanation. “What if the crops fail right after sowing? How will harvest-based damage be calculated?” he asked. “Don’t mislead farmers with false answers.”
The issue remains at the center of political debate, even as more farmers continue to take their own lives.
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