The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report has revealed a distressing trend: Maharashtra and Karnataka have recorded the highest number of farmer suicides in India. Together, these two states account for nearly half of the total farmer suicides reported across the country in 2024. The report highlights the deep agrarian distress gripping the farming community, with mounting debts, repeated crop failures, erratic rainfall, and lack of institutional support identified as the primary causes behind the tragic deaths.
In Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada continue to be the worst-affected regions, where recurring droughts, poor irrigation facilities, and unremunerative crop prices have pushed farmers into a cycle of debt and despair. Karnataka, particularly the districts of Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Mandya, has also reported alarming numbers, with erratic monsoons, pest attacks, and mounting input costs forcing cultivators into financial stress. Farmer organizations argue that despite numerous government schemes, institutional failures and delayed relief have left cultivators with little hope.
Experts stress that the numbers reported by NCRB may only be the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported or are registered under different categories. They caution that farmer suicides reflect not just individual tragedies but also structural issues in India’s agricultural economy. Economists and activists insist that piecemeal relief measures will not suffice; systemic reforms in crop pricing, loan disbursal, insurance schemes, and climate resilience are urgently needed to address the root causes of agrarian distress.
Causes Behind the Crisis
Erratic rainfall, crop failures, mounting debts, and rising input costs continue to be the leading causes behind farmer suicides in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Farmer unions argue that institutional neglect and poor execution of government schemes have exacerbated the situation, leaving farmers without adequate safety nets.
The NCRB’s latest data once again brings India’s agrarian crisis into sharp focus. Maharashtra alone recorded thousands of farmer suicides in 2024, with Vidarbha and Marathwada continuing to remain epicentres of despair. In Karnataka, northern districts such as Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Raichur, and Bidar witnessed alarming numbers, where rain-fed farming and lack of irrigation leave cultivators highly vulnerable to erratic weather patterns. The high suicide rate in both states reflects structural challenges that go beyond temporary crises.
Debt remains the most cited reason behind farmer suicides. Small and marginal farmers, who form the majority, often borrow from private moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates. When crops fail due to drought, floods, or pests, repayment becomes impossible, leading to harassment and humiliation. Despite government loan waiver announcements, many farmers remain outside the institutional credit system, making them dependent on informal lenders. This debt trap pushes countless families into desperation.
Erratic rainfall patterns have worsened the problem. Both Maharashtra and Karnataka have witnessed alternating droughts and floods in recent years. In 2023, Maharashtra’s Marathwada region saw prolonged dry spells followed by sudden heavy rains that destroyed standing crops. Karnataka, particularly Kalaburagi and Raichur, faced similar challenges. Such climate-induced uncertainties leave farmers with no insurance against income loss, even when they have invested heavily in seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Crop pricing has been another source of frustration. Farmers allege that while input costs have risen significantly, market prices remain volatile and often below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Cotton and tur dal growers in Karnataka, along with soybean and sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra, have repeatedly protested against unfair pricing. When cultivation ceases to be profitable, it drives cultivators deeper into debt and despair, leading to tragic consequences.
The failure of crop insurance schemes has compounded the distress. While several farmers are enrolled in insurance programs, compensation is often delayed or inadequate. Many affected cultivators report receiving payouts that do not even cover half of their losses. Procedural hurdles and delayed claim settlements discourage many from even opting for insurance. Experts argue that the schemes need to be redesigned for speed, transparency, and inclusiveness to provide real relief.
Social and psychological pressures also play a role. For many farmers, the inability to provide for their families or repay debts becomes a source of immense mental stress. Stigma associated with defaulting on loans and the loss of social standing often push them toward extreme decisions. Unfortunately, rural mental health support systems remain weak, with counseling services and awareness programs almost absent in remote districts.
The impact of farmer suicides extends beyond the individual, devastating entire families. Widows and children are left to fend for themselves, often without land rights or access to compensation. Many children are forced to drop out of school to work, perpetuating cycles of poverty. Women’s groups in Karnataka and Maharashtra have highlighted the need for targeted support for families of suicide victims, including financial aid, housing, and education assistance
Voices from the Ground
Several farmer families in Kalaburagi and Vidarbha recount how rising debts and repeated losses left their loved ones with no way out.
Organizations demand immediate debt waivers, timely compensation, and robust crop insurance coverage to prevent further tragedies.
Economists warn that the high number of suicides also has wider implications for India’s food security. Maharashtra and Karnataka together contribute significantly to the country’s production of pulses, oilseeds, and cotton. Repeated crises and farmer withdrawals from agriculture could eventually affect national supply chains and consumer prices, making it an issue of both social justice and economic stability.
Ultimately, experts emphasize that farmer suicides are not isolated tragedies but symptoms of a deeper structural crisis. Addressing the problem requires a holistic approach: fair pricing, institutional credit access, insurance reform, mental health support, and climate adaptation. Without systemic change, the distress is bound to continue, keeping thousands of farming families across Maharashtra and Karnataka trapped in a cycle of vulnerability and despair.
Another pressing concern raised by activists is the lack of accountability in how relief funds are disbursed. Both Maharashtra and Karnataka governments announce large compensation packages after suicides, but beneficiaries often face bureaucratic delays and corruption. In many cases, families report waiting months or even years before receiving assistance. Some do not receive it at all because of stringent eligibility norms. Critics argue that unless transparency and accountability mechanisms are built into the system, these relief packages will continue to fail the very people they are meant to support.
The role of cooperative banks and rural credit societies also comes under scrutiny. While they were initially established to help farmers escape the clutches of private moneylenders, many have become mired in mismanagement and political interference. Farmers complain that loans are not issued on time, or are offered only to those with strong political connections. The failure of these institutions has left a significant gap in rural credit systems, pushing small cultivators further into the trap of informal lending with high interest rates.
There is also a growing demand for expanding mental health outreach in rural regions. In Maharashtra, a few pilot programs by NGOs have provided counseling and helplines for distressed farmers, but their reach remains limited. Karnataka too has started experimenting with community-based counseling services, but experts insist that these efforts must be scaled up with proper funding and state support. Farmers need not only financial solutions but also emotional and psychological support systems to cope with stress.
Looking ahead, experts stress that agriculture must be made sustainable and dignified as a livelihood. Investment in rural infrastructure, storage facilities, irrigation canals, and market linkages can transform farming from a high-risk activity into a more secure profession. If policies focus only on short-term waivers without systemic reform, suicides will remain a recurring tragedy. For Maharashtra and Karnataka, the challenge is not only to save their farmers from financial distress but also to restore hope in the future of agriculture.
Long-Term Solutions Needed to End the Cycle
Experts argue that addressing farmer suicides requires more than short-term relief packages. Structural reforms in agriculture—such as ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees, improving irrigation infrastructure, diversifying crop choices, and strengthening rural credit systems—are crucial for sustainable change. Without long-term solutions, both Maharashtra and Karnataka risk witnessing recurring waves of farmer suicides, perpetuating the cycle of rural distress and despair.
Government schemes such as loan waivers and compensation packages have provided some relief, but experts argue that these are temporary band-aid solutions. Unless systemic reforms are implemented, the suicides are likely to continue. Strengthening rural credit systems, ensuring timely procurement of crops at MSP, and expanding irrigation infrastructure are repeatedly cited as long-term measures. However, implementation has been patchy, and political will is often questioned.
Activists also stress the importance of crop diversification. Over-dependence on a single cash crop, like cotton in Maharashtra or tur in Karnataka, makes farmers particularly vulnerable to market fluctuations. Agricultural scientists suggest promoting mixed cropping, introducing drought- and flood-resistant varieties, and encouraging allied activities like dairy, poultry, and horticulture. Diversification, they argue, can provide farmers with multiple income streams and reduce risk.
Climate change is increasingly recognized as a driver of agrarian distress. Rising temperatures, unpredictable monsoons, and frequent extreme weather events have already altered agricultural patterns. Experts warn that unless climate-resilient practices are adopted, suicides linked to crop failures will only rise. Investment in water conservation projects, efficient irrigation systems, and research into climate-adaptive crops are seen as urgent priorities.
Farmer protests have also gained momentum in both states. From sit-ins in Kalaburagi demanding compensation to mass rallies in Maharashtra seeking fair prices, farmers are voicing their anguish publicly. While such protests often bring temporary attention, activists lament that structural changes remain elusive. Many farmer leaders argue that political promises during election seasons rarely translate into long-term policy action.
The human side of the tragedy is reflected in the stories of families torn apart. In Bidar, a farmer reportedly took his life after failing to repay a ₹2 lakh loan, leaving behind a young family with no source of income. In Marathwada, a widow explained how her husband’s death left her with both debt and the responsibility of caring for three children. These stories highlight the emotional and social costs behind the statistics.
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