Ambadas Danve said, “There has been loan waiver for farmers many times, yet the figures of suicides are increasing.” (Indicative photo)

In Maharashtra's Marathwada region, 1,023 farmers committed suicide in 2022, up from 887 last year.

An officer of the Divisional Commissioner's Office gave this information.

A farmer committed suicide in 2001 in Jalna, Aurangabad, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Osmanabad and Beed districts.

Data from the Divisional Commissioner's Office shows that since 2001, 10,431 farmers have ended their lives in eight districts of the region.

Sometimes drought like situation and sometimes excessive rain

As per the data, between 2001 and 2010, 2006 recorded the highest number of farmer suicides at 379.

In the decade 2011-2020, 2015 recorded the highest number of farmer suicides at 1,133.

An official said that of the 10,431 farmers who committed suicide since 2001, 7,605 had also received assistance as per government norms.

According to social activists and officials, over the past few years, the region has witnessed drought-like conditions and excessive rainfall at times, which added to the hardships of the farmers.

The irrigation network in the area is also not being used to its full potential.

Suicides between December and June

Vinayak Hegana, who runs a counseling center for farmers in Osmanabad in collaboration with the district administration, stressed the need to work at a micro level while analyzing farmer suicides.

"Policies are being formulated at the top level, but the implementation at the ground level can be improved," he said.

Earlier, maximum farmer suicides were recorded between July and October, but now the pattern has changed.

"The numbers are increasing between December and June," he said.

On policies to curb suicide, Hegana said, "Finding flaws in these policies and improving them should be an ongoing process and there should be a group of people who can work on it."

Substandard seeds and fertilizers being sold at high rates: Danve

When contacted, Ambadas Danve, Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, said, “Though there have been several loan waivers for farmers, the suicide figures are on the rise.

When we waive off their loans, we also have to see that their crop produce also gets good returns.

Danve also highlighted the concerns of substandard seeds and fertilizers being sold at high rates. "These are harmful to the agriculture sector," he said.

Danve said, "The quality of these agricultural resources should be of good standard, which is the most important."

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar could not be contacted for his reaction in this matter.

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