Webdesk: In a grim revelation regarding India’s farmer suicide crisis, the Maharashtra government, admitted that 767 farmers died by suicide in the state in just the first three months of 2025.
Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil informed the Legislative Council that of the total cases reported between January and March 2025, only 373 families were found eligible for the state’s compensation scheme.
Another 200 were declared ineligible, while 194 cases are still under investigation.
According to an Indian government resolution issued on January 23, 2006, the Maharashtra government offers a compensation of INR1 lakh to the families of farmers who die by suicide.
Of the 373 ‘eligible’ cases, the government has provided INR 1 lakh compensation to 327 families only, with the remaining still awaiting disbursement.
Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil stated that there are no plans at present to revise or increase this amount.
Even though the magnitude of the crisis is high, there are no plans to raise the amount of the compensation, which remained at the same level as it was proposed by a government resolution in 2006.
People have not been blind to this bleak situation.
Many netizens have voiced their outrage and sorrow, expressing a deep sense of anger and discomfort over how the lives of farmers are being taken for granted.
In the first 3 months of 2025, 767 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra.
— Anindya Das 🇮🇳 (@AnindyaDas1) July 2, 2025
This figure is very shocking, which describes the plight of farmers under the Modi government.
In BJP government 👇
• Farmers are burdened with heavy debt
• They are facing financial difficulties
•… pic.twitter.com/RF13aopOeM
Farmers are the backbone of the Indian economy. They not only bring great contribution to the country in terms of its GDP but it also brings about employment, development of rural areas and food security in the country.
They are more than just producers of food; they hold cultural heritage and economic stability as well.
However, the Modi government has not managed to give them stable and safe conditions, despite all that they offer.
India has not only been unable in foreign policy and diplomacy, but has been unable in taking care of its own farmers.
Stark reality.
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) July 2, 2025
Farmer from Latur in drought prone Marathwada region instead of bulls, he was compelled to drive the plough on his own shoulder to complete the tiller between 2 sown crop lane. Maharashtra govt report reveals 767 distressed farmer committed suicide in 3 months. pic.twitter.com/B99dFJrWDQ
Sad & shocked to know that From January to March, 767 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra.
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) July 2, 2025
What happened to the promise of doubling farmers’ income? Just another jumla! @narendramodi
While our farmers commit suicide, Modi is travelling around the world! pic.twitter.com/ICGfdYZYQ7
In the first 3 months of 2025, 767 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra. This figure is very shocking, which tells the plight of farmers under the Modi government. In the BJP government 👇 • Farmers are burdened with heavy debt • They are struggling with financial crisis pic.twitter.com/AFk23wU1y6
— mir quadeer (@QuadeersultanM) July 2, 2025
India’s farmer suicide crisis: Vidarbha, Marathwada hit hard
A major chunk of these suicides came from the Vidarbha region, long known as the epicentre of farm distress.
Districts like Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, and Washim accounted for 257 suicides in the three months.
Among them, only 76 were deemed eligible to receive aid, and compensation is issued in 71 cases.
During January-May 2025, 24 suicides were reported in the Marathwada region, in the Hingoli district.
‘Support schemes’ not stemming the tide
With the opposition lawmakers finding fault with the government over the number of the deaths and delays in compensations, the government has asserted that it is doing whatever it can to resolve the crisis.
Indian Minister Jadhav-Patil said his department is working alongside others to offer a “coordinated” response.
He cited financial schemes like the INR 6,000 from the central government’s PM-Kisan scheme and an additional INR 6,000 from the state’s Shetkari Mahasanman Fund as support being provided to farmers annually.
However, these meagre payments, INR 1,000 a month, have done little to prevent suicides, with numbers continuing to rise year after year.
According to government data, 2,635 farmers died by suicide in 2024, and 2,851 in 2023.
Insurance, infrastructure still inadequate
In a separate statement on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate announced a revised crop insurance scheme.
Compensation will now be based on harvest-time damage assessments, and insurance will not cover areas where sowing hasn’t been done.
The new model, Kokate claimed, will save the government INR 5,000 crore in costs, with only INR 700 crore now being paid in premiums.
Mental health and irrigation initiatives not enough. Farmers are in far more dire conditions than what can be resolved with a one-time financial payout.
767 Farmers Committed Suicide in just three months And Meagre Compensation To The Families
— PRITI SINGH (@Pritisingh_INC) July 2, 2025
Is This What Our Annadatas Deserve..?#KisanOfIndia #kisan pic.twitter.com/NyGJ2LFtPm
But critics argue these efforts have proven grossly insufficient.
As suicide numbers continue to climb, the Modi government’s claims of rural empowerment stand in sharp contrast to the reality faced by India’s farmers.
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