PM Modi's Kisan Nidhi scheme announced in the interim budget will provide Rs 6,000 a year to poor farmers. The jury is still out on whether this package will be enough to end the plight of agricultural workers. The bleak condition of Indian farmers can be imagined by the number of farmer suicides in the country. There is no recent data on the deaths. The last official government data was released in 2016.
Maharashtra accounts for the highest estimated number of suicides committed by farmers. As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2015 alone 4,291 agricultural related suicides were reported in the state. Maharashtra accounted for 34 per cent of the total agri-related suicide deaths in the country. This includes 3,030 farmers and 1,261 agricultural labourers. As per Government statistics, Rs 81,383 crore of agricultural loans were outstanding in the state of Maharashtra in FY17.
Karnataka accounted for 12 per cent of the total agri-related suicide deaths in India. As many as 1,569 farmers committed suicide in 2015, as per data published by the NCRB. This includes 1,197 farmers and 372 labourers. In the state of Karnataka, Rs 78,082 crore of agricultural related loans were outstanding in FY17.
As per the latest government data, Telangana accounted for 11 per cent of the total agri-related suicides in India in 2015. In totality 1,400 people (1,358 farmers and 42 agri labourers) gave up their lives. Rs 67,885 crore worth of loans were outstanding as on FY17.
The state of Madhya Pradesh accounted for 10 per cent of the total agri-related suicides in India in 2015. As per NCRB, 1,290 suicides were committed in Madhya Pradesh, which consist of 581 farmers and 709 agri labourers. As on FY17, Rs 56,149 crores of loans were outstanding.
Chhattisgarh accounted for 8 per cent of the total agri-related suicides in India. 954 cases of agricultural related suicides were reported by NCRB in 2015. This includes 854 farmers and 100 labourers. As on FY17, Rs 12,237 crore worth of loans directly related to agricultural activities stood outstanding.
As per the latest government statistics available Andhra Pradesh accounted for 7 per cent of the total agri-related suicides in India in 2015. In totality, 916 people (516 farmers and 400 agri labourers) gave up their lives. Rs 92,865 crore worth of loans were outstanding as on FY17.
Tamil Nadu accounted for 5 per cent of the total agri-related suicides in India. 606 cases of agricultural related suicides were reported by NCRB in 2015. Two farmers and 606 labourers committed suicide. As on FY17, Rs 1,32,144 crore of loans directly related to agricultural activities were outstanding.
Uttar Pradesh accounted for 3 per cent of the total agri-related suicides in India. 324 cases of agricultural related suicides were reported by NCRB in 2015. This includes, 145 farmers and 179 labourers. As on FY17, Rs 81,584 crore worth of loans directly related to agricultural activities were outstanding.
Gujarat accounted for 2 per cent of the total agri-related suicides in India. 210 cases of agricultural related suicides were reported by NCRB in 2015. 57 farmers and 244 labourers committed suicide. As on FY17, Rs 54,276 crore worth of loans directly related to agricultural activities were outstanding.