Five Districts In Maharashtra Report 21,219 Farmer Suicides In 24-Year Period

An official report reveals that a total of 21,219 farmers died by suicide over the past 24 years across five districts in Maharashtra’s Amravati revenue division.

The data covers the period from January 2001 to January 2025 and includes incidents in the districts of Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim and Yavatmal. Notably, 80 farmer suicides were recorded in January 2025 alone.

According to the report, Amravati district recorded 5,395 farmer suicides, Akola reported 3,123, Yavatmal had the highest with 6,211, Buldhana reported 4,442, and Washim saw 2,048 farmer suicides during the same period.

In January 2025, 10 farmers died by suicide in Amravati district, 10 in Akola, 34 in Yavatmal, 10 in Buldhana and seven in Washim district.

The report said that of the total suicides in the 24 years, 9,970 cases were eligible for government compensation, 10,963 were ineligible, while 319 cases are pending for inquiry.

Assistance has been given in 9,740 cases, the report said.

According to existing norms, only certain suicides are eligible for compensation - among the factors being proof that the act is a result of non-repayment of loan, crop losses and not for personal reasons.