808 farmer suicides in Maharashtra in January-April

MUMBAI: Maharashtra has recorded 808 farmer suicides in the state in the first four months of the year. This averages almost seven farmer suicides every single day. The figure is lower by 88, compared to the same four-month period last year, when there were 896 farmer suicides.

Vidarbha region, home to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, has recorded most farmer suicides this year, with 344 cases till the end of April.Marathwada region, which is facing a severe water crisis, recorded 269 farmer suicides, north Maharashtra 161 and the sugar belt of western Maharashtra 34. No cases were recorded in Konkan region.
The year 2018-19 has been very challenging for farmers in the state, with 42% of talukas in Maharashtra facing a severe drought. The crisis has impacted 60% of the state's farmers and destroyed large tracts of crop.
The state government had declared a loan waiver in 2017, the scope of which had been extended after farmer marches in the state. Earlier this year, the Centre had also announced the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, an income support of Rs6,000 for small and marginal farmers.
Farmer leaders in the state say that a delayed monsoon would worsen the long-term agrarian crisis in the state. "The most critical issue now is the drought and the water crisis, which have destroyed crops and reduced milk yield. A delayed monsoon will make the fodder crisis worse for cattle," said Ajit Navale from Kisan Sabha.
Officials say the monsoon in the state is expected by June 17. The state says it had adequate water and fodder available until the onset of rains. "This year, a good monsoon has been forecast and we are expecting a good year for farmers," said state revenue minister Chandrakant Patil.