Parliament Question: Farmers suicide in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 825 TO BE ANSWERED ON. 06/02/2026 FARMERS SUICIDE IN MAHARASHTRA 825. SMT. RAJANI ASHOKRAO PATIL : Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the number of farmer suicides reported in Maharashtra during the last three years, district- wise; (b) the key factors identified including crop failure indebtedness and price volatility; (c) the adequacy of compensation and rehabilitation packages announced; and (d) the reasons as to why recurring agrarian distress persists in Vidarbha and Marathwada despite repeated policy assurances and schemes aimed at income security? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (c): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs compiles and disseminates information on suicides in its publication titled ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ (ADSI). The report till 2023 is available on NCRB website (https://ncrb.gov.in). Reasons for suicides are wide ranging. Agriculture is a State Subject. Ex gratia or relief is provided by State Governments as per State provisions & rules. Government of India is very sensitive about farmers issues and concerned about distress of farmers. Government of India supplements the efforts of States and welfare of farmers through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support and various schemes/ programmes. The Government has substantially enhanced the budget allocation of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare(DA&FW) from Rs. 21,933.50 crore BE during 2013-14 to Rs. 1,27,290.16 crore BE during 2025-26. The major schemes/ programmes for welfare of farmers and the development of agriculture Sector in India are as under:- 1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) 2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY) 3. Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) 4. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)/ Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) 5. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)6. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) 7. Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) 8. National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) 9. Namo Drone Didi 10. Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE) 11. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) 12. Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Detailed Project Report (RKVY-DPR) 13. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) 14. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) 15. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) 16. Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F) 17. Rainfed Area Development (RAD) 18. Agroforestry 19. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) 20. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) 21. National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) 22. Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM) 23. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) 24. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oil Palm 25. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds 26. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region 27. Digital Agriculture Mission 28. National Bamboo Mission. 29. Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses 30. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) (d): Recurring agrarian distress in Vidarbha and Marathwada is due to combination of long- standing agro-climatic vulnerabilities, market uncertainties and structural challenges associated with rain-fed agriculture. To mitigate these issues, the Government is implementing various schemes aimed at income support, crop risk management, access to institutional credit and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. *****