Over 21,000 Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra’s Amravati Division Since 2001, Reveals Official Report
Maharashtra’s Amravati revenue division has reported a staggering 21,219 farmer suicides in the past 24 years across five districts, highlighting the ongoing agrarian crisis in the state.
According to an official report, the deaths were recorded between January 2001 and January 2025 in Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, and Yavatmal districts. The worst-affected district was Yavatmal, with 6,211 suicides, followed by Amravati (5,395), Buldhana (4,442), Akola (3,123), and Washim (2,048).
Farmer Suicides in January 2025: 80 Lives Lost
The crisis persists, with 80 farmer suicides reported in just January 2025 alone:
🔹 Yavatmal – 34 suicides
🔹 Amravati – 10 suicides
🔹 Akola – 10 suicides
🔹 Buldhana – 10 suicides
🔹 Washim – 7 suicides
Compensation Status: Over 10,000 Cases Denied Aid
Of the total 21,219 suicides, the government classified:
✅ 9,970 cases as eligible for financial assistance
❌ 10,963 cases as ineligible
⏳ 319 cases are still under review
Assistance has been disbursed in 9,740 cases. However, compensation is only granted when a direct link to financial distress—such as crop failure or debt burden—is established, excluding cases attributed to personal reasons.
Rising Agrarian Crisis in Maharashtra
Maharashtra has long struggled with farmer distress, driven by:
🔸 Recurring droughts and irregular monsoons
🔸 Mounting farm debts with high-interest loans
🔸 Crop failures and low yield returns
🔸 Lack of proper insurance and relief measures
What’s Next?
With farmer suicides continuing at an alarming rate, experts urge the government to implement better debt relief policies, improve irrigation infrastructure, and strengthen crop insurance schemes to protect Maharashtra’s agricultural community from financial despair.
