In a deeply troubling revelation, more than 700 farmers have ended their lives in Maharashtra during the first quarter of 2025, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of ongoing government schemes aimed at preventing agrarian distress.
According to figures presented by Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil in a written reply during the Legislative Council session, 767 farmers died by suicide across the state between January and March 2025. Of these, 373 cases have been declared eligible for government aid, 200 cases were deemed ineligible, and 194 are still under investigation.
The Marathwada region remains the worst affected, with 501 suicides recorded in the last six months, from January to June 26. Beed district topped the list with 124 farmer deaths, followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (87) and Nanded (72).hat make this situation more serious were recently presented in the Legislative Council session. Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Makarand Patil, while giving information about this through a written reply, said that 767 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra during the January to March quarter of 2025. Out of these cases, 373 are eligible, 200 are ineligible, while 194 cases are pending investigation.
District-wise farmer suicides in Marathwada (Jan–June 26, 2025):
Beed – 124
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar – 87
Nanded – 72
Parbhani – 61
Dharashiv – 62
Latur – 36
Hingoli – 31
Jalna – 28
Total – 501
The issue was raised during Question Hour in the Legislative Council, prompting Minister Patil to share the alarming statistics. Despite numerous initiatives — including loan waivers, crop insurance, and compensation packages — the number of suicides remains distressingly high.
Even more concerning is the comparison with previous data. In the entire last year (2024), 948 farmer suicides were recorded in the Marathwada region alone, suggesting that 2025 may see an even higher toll if urgent intervention is not undertaken.
Farmer advocacy groups have reiterated their call for more effective implementation of support schemes, timely disbursement of crop insurance, and long-term reforms in agriculture and rural infrastructure.
With the monsoon season underway, the state government now faces mounting pressure to take decisive action and prevent further loss of life in Maharashtra’s farming communities.