A recent report from the office of the divisional commissioner has revealed a distressing escalation in farmer suicides in Marathwada, totaling 1,088 cases in 2023. This marks a concerning rise of 65 cases compared to the previous year, according to official statements.
Breaking down the statistics, Beed recorded the highest number with 269 farmer suicides, followed by 182 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 175 in Nanded, 171 in Dharashiv, and 103 in Parbhani. Additional suicides were reported in Jalna (74), Latur (72), and Hingoli (42).
In comparison, the year 2022 witnessed 1,023 farmer suicides in Marathwada, encompassing districts such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Hingoli, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded, and Parbhani.
In response to the distressing statistics, the administration conducted a thorough investigation into each case. Families of eligible cases received ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh, according to official statements. Out of the total 1,088 cases reported in 2023, 777 were deemed eligible for ex-gratia, and this financial aid has already been provided. However, an additional 151 cases are currently under inquiry.
A report prepared by former Divisional Commissioner Marathwada, Sunil Kendrekar, in July 2023, had warned that around 1 lakh farmers in Marathwada alone were contemplating suicide due to crop losses and other financial issues. Kendrekar’s report followed a survey of 10 lakh farmers in Marathwada, a chronically drought-prone zone where, on average, at least one farmer ends his life daily.
Among those surveyed, over 1 lakh farmers expressed frustration and thoughts of suicide due to issues like debt, crop failures from drought and unseasonal rains, lack of fair prices for crops, and financial constraints for household and marriage expenses.