The Grim Reality of Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra; Shocking NCRB Report
In Brief
The grim reality of farmer suicides in Maharashtra
Over 170,000 suicides recorded in the country in 2023
Most suicides occurred in Maharashtra (38.5%) and Karnataka (22.5%)
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released a shocking report about farmer suicides. According to the report, more than 10,000 people related to agriculture committed suicide in 2023, including both farmers and farm laborers. The highest number of suicides occurred in Maharashtra (38.5%) and Karnataka (22.5%).
The report states that in 2023, more than 170,000 suicides were recorded in the country, including not only farmers but also unemployed youth and people related to business. Meanwhile, the report notes that there were no recorded suicides in some states, including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Goa.
According to the NCRB report, farmers and agricultural laborers are included in the suicides. The total number of suicides by farmers and agricultural laborers is 10,786, which includes 4,690 farmers and 6,096 agricultural laborers. Among the farmers who committed suicide, there are not only men but also women.
The shocking and equally concerning fact is that the highest farmer suicides have occurred in the states of Maharashtra (38.5%), Karnataka (22.5%), Andhra Pradesh (8.6%), Madhya Pradesh (7.2%), and Tamil Nadu (5.9%). However, there are some states where no farmer suicides have occurred, including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Lakshadweep.
The report also reviews the financial status of those who committed suicide. It was found that in 2023, most of the suicide victims had an annual income of less than 1 lakh rupees. The report also highlights that unemployment is a major cause of suicides not only among farmers but also among the youth. The highest number of suicides occurred in Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.