Farmer suicides in Marathwada: 1,129 deaths recorded in 2025, the highest in 5 years; Beed worst hit at 256

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: The agrarian crisis in Marathwada showed no signs of abating in 2025, with the eight districts of the Marathwada region recording 1,129 farmer suicides between Jan 1 and Dec 31, according to the official data obtained from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar revenue divisional commissionerate. This is the higest in the past five years. The figure worked out to three farmer suicides a day, underlining a disturbing continuity in rural distress that has persisted for almost a decade despite repeated policy interventions and relief announcements.

A scrutiny of the cases showed that 716 suicides were cleared as eligible for govt aid, while 140 cases were declared ineligible after verification. Another 193 cases remained pending with the administration for a final decision, highlighting procedural delays that continue to slow down relief to bereaved families.

District-wise figures revealed sharp regional disparities within Marathwada. Beed has emerged as the epicentre of the crisis, reporting 256 suicides and accounting for nearly 23% of the division's total toll. It is followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district with 224 cases, and Nanded with 170 suicides. Dharashiv reported 141 cases, while Parbhani recorded 104. Jalna saw 90 suicides, followed by Latur with 76 and Hingoli with 68 cases, together completing the division-wide figure of 1,129.

Officials attribute the continuing crisis largely to erratic and extreme weather conditions, particularly episodes of excessive rainfall that caused unprecedented loss to the agrarian community. "From May onwards, sudden and heavy downpours caused extensive soil erosion and crop damage in parts of Latur, Dharashiv and Nanded. Standing crops were destroyed, and in several areas, fertile topsoil was washed away, leaving farmers uncertain about whether cultivation would even be viable in the following season," said a revenue divisional commissionerate official, who preferred anonymity, citing the ongoing polling process.

"Soyabean, a key cash crop in the region, was among the worst affected. Production dipped sharply due to weather fluctuations. Although soyabean prices remained relatively stable in the markets, officials conceded that most farmers failed to recover their input costs, resulting in minimal cash flow and mounting indebtedness," said farmer activist Deepak Joshi, of the Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Sanghatna.

Month-wise data further reflected the depth of distress, with suicides surging during crucial agricultural and harvest periods. Dec recorded the highest toll with 113 cases, followed closely by Oct with 111 suicides and Nov with 110. Another significant spike was seen in March, when 110 farmer suicides were reported across the division. At the district level, Beed witnessed its worst month in Nov with 38 deaths, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nanded peaked in Oct, reporting 34 and 24 suicides, respectively.

State govt announced a Rs 31,000-crore assistance package for affected farmers, but officials acknowledge that the KYC-related hurdles delayed the flow of funds. Farmer organisations renewed demands for a comprehensive loan waiver, pointing out that recovery of agricultural loans by district and rural banks became increasingly difficult. With the model code of conduct in force ahead of Zilla Parishad elections, uncertainty continued over the timing of any loan waiver, even as Marathwada once again recorded a steep annual toll of farmer suicides.

Number of farmer suicides recorded in Marathwada over the past 5 years:

2021: 887

2022: 1,023

2023: 1,088

2024: 948

2025: 1,129