On average, two farmers end lives daily in M’wada: Data

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A total of 430 farmer died by suicide in Marathwada till June this year, with Beed, Dharashiv and Nanded districts accounting for the highest number of deaths in the region, data available with the divisional commissioner office revealed on Saturday.
An analysis into the data showed that an average of two farmers ended their lives in different parts of the region every day.“Beed district accounted for 101 farmer suicides, followed by Dharashiv (76), Nanded (68), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (64), Jalna (40), Latur (33), Parbhani (31) and Hingoli (17),” the data showed.
Farmers’ leader Jayaji Suryawanshi said unavailability of water for irrigation and govt policies on agriculture produce were to be blamed for the rise in farmer suicides in Marathwada. “We have been hearing about the plans of diverting water from the west-flowing rivers for Marathwada for over a decade now with no ground progress. The lack of water for irrigation costs farmers heavy during the rabi and kharif seasons,” he said.
Suryawanshi said no assured prices for different agricultural produce, as well as poor export policies, were putting the farming community under a huge financial strain. “The govt lacks a concrete action plan to end the woes of farmers in Marathwada,” he said.
Deputy divisional commissioner (revenue) Nayana Bondarde told TOI that Marathwada witnessed hailstorm this year, causing agrarian losses in certain pockets. “Such extreme weather events are the reasons behind farmer suicides. This is despite efforts in offering benefits of crop insurance scheme and other relief measures,” she said.
According to the data, govt help has been doled out in 169 cases of farmer suicides, whereas inquiries are pending in 154 cases. Besides, 20 cases were declared ineligible for official help as they did not fit the norms.