479 farmers died by suicide in 2 months in Maharashtra, says state minister

Maharashtra reported 479 farmer suicides in March-April 2025, with compensation provided in eligible cases. The government cited ongoing financial aid and support schemes to prevent further suicides.

In Short

• 250 suicide cases reported in Marathwada and Vidarbha in March, 229 in April
• Government found 176 cases eligible for compensation so far
• Rs 1 lakh aid given to legal heirs of victim

A total of 479 farmer suicides were reported in Maharashtra in just two months, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav informed the state Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Responding to questions from MLAs including Rohit Pawar, Jitendra Awhad, and Vijay Wadettiwar, Jadhav said that 250 suicides occurred in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions in March 2025. In April 2025, the state recorded 229 cases of farmer suicides.

Out of the 250 cases reported in March, officials found 102 to be eligible for compensation under government norms, while 62 were declared ineligible. Another 86 cases are still under investigation. Of the 102 eligible cases, the government has provided financial assistance in 77 so far.

In the April cases, authorities identified 74 as eligible and 31 as ineligible for compensation. The process to extend aid in the remaining cases is ongoing.

Jadhav said that the state government provides Rs 1 lakh as assistance to the legal heirs of farmers who die by suicide. “If any person in the family of the deceased person is holding agricultural land, then the person is considered a farmer. After a suicide is reported, the family is visited by a district level officer. The necessary inquiry is conducted by a committee and after the complete proposal is made by the district level committee, the eligible and ineligible decision is taken, and immediate assistance is provided,” he said in a written reply.

He also noted that the Relief and Rehabilitation Department is providing support in cases of crop damage due to natural disasters.

Jadhav highlighted ongoing efforts to prevent farmer suicides, including financial support schemes and infrastructure improvements. “A total of Rs 12,000 is being provided annually through the Agriculture Department under the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and Rs 6,000 under the Namo Shetkari Mahasamman Nidhi. To prevent suicides, schemes such as getting fair prices for farmers' farm produce, increasing irrigation facilities, and operating seaports are being implemented at the district level,” he added.

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