Droughts, erratic rainfall and crop failures threaten livelihoods in rain-dependent regions, particularly Marathwada and Vidarbha
465 farmers died by suicide across Marathwada between Jan and June 2026, according to records of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisional administration. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district recorded the highest number of cases at 109. In 2025, the division’s eight districts reported 1,131 farmer suicides. The Shivar Helpline received 6,772 calls in Sept, compared with 2,789 in Aug, according to figures shared by Hegana. It has suggested that eligible farmers receive loans within a stipulated period, such as 15 days, while small and marginal farmers be provided timely credit at the start of the agricultural season.
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The problem has persisted for decades despite multiple govt interventions, and state agriculture commissioner Suraj Mandhare said once implemented, these recommendations would do much good. Gradually, they will show the results on the ground,” state agriculture commissioner Suraj Mandhare told TOI. “The objective is to reduce the financial consequences of failure of a single crop and help farmers generate income through different agricultural activities,” said Satyajit Shitole, a member of the task force. Beed-based farmer activist Uddhav Ghodke said distress was becoming increasingly visible in Marathwada’s drought-affected villages. It is high time such farmers are identified and helped to control suicides,” he said. “Callers reported difficulties linked to natural disasters, debt, inadequate financial resources and uncertainty about their families’ futures,” he said. Shitole said the helpline was also helping farmers resolve practical difficulties and access welfare schemes. We are also making welfare schemes farmer-friendly by reducing the processing time for documentation,” he said. “This is the biggest socio-economic challenge for us, because it is difficult to stop this practice in villages where farmers get loans from moneylenders without hassle,” said a task force member. “While the recommendations offer a broad framework for addressing the multiple causes of farmer suicides, their impact will depend on effective coordination among agriculture, banking, irrigation and mental health services, as well as sustained implementation at the village level,” said Anil Ghanwat, a veteran agriculture activist.
Pune: Crop diversification, climate-resilient farming, easier access to institutional credit and village-level mental health support are among the key recommendations of a state govt task force to address the persistent problem of farmer suicides in the state. In the report, a copy of which is with TOI, the panel has called for an integrated approach that tackles agricultural uncertainty, mounting debt, unstable farm incomes and psychological distress, instead of limiting interventions to financial assistance after a farmer’s death. “Our report is meant to improve the agriculture department’s functioning and to make it farmer-friendly. The recommendations have been shared with district agriculture officials. Recurring droughts, erratic rainfall and crop failures are a constant threat to livelihoods in rain-dependent regions, particularly Marathwada and Vidarbha. A major focus of the report is to reduce farmers’ dependence on a single crop and encourage farming systems that can withstand climatic uncertainties while generating income from multiple sources. The task force has recommended promoting alternative crops, horticulture, integrated farming systems, agroforestry and allied activities suited to local agro-climatic conditions. It has suggested exploring commercially viable crops such as chia and ajwain wherever agronomically and economically feasible. The panel has also proposed combining food crops with fodder cultivation and dairy farming, and integrating horticulture with beekeeping. Medicinal and aromatic plants, sericulture and mushroom cultivation have been identified as potential supplementary livelihood activities. For dryland regions, the panel has recommended demonstrations of integrated farming systems and agroforestry at village and cluster levels. However, experts have stressed that diversification must be supported by market linkages, technical guidance, access to quality inputs and appropriate infrastructure to prevent farmers from incurring losses while experimenting with unfamiliar crops. “The situation is becoming tougher and tougher for farmers in Marathwada this year. Mental health support Recognising the psychological aspect of the crisis, the task force emphasised the need to identify distressed farmers early and provide them with opportunities to seek help without fear of stigma. Vinayak Hegana, an agricultural sociologist associated with the Shivar Helpline and a member of the task force, has advocated a scientific and humane approach that combines counselling with practical assistance to address farmers’ immediate problems. The helpline’s recent experience points to the growing demand for support. The task force has stressed the importance of making support systems accessible at the village level, enabling distressed farmers and their families to discuss their problems and receive timely guidance. “The helpline is made available to farmers to express their issues openly. Through Shivar, their issues are being addressed on the ground. The work is at the preliminary stage. Timely institutional credit Easy access to institutional credit is another major component of the recommendations. The panel has proposed strengthening lending through cooperative and nationalised banks and reducing farmers’ dependence on private moneylenders through a proposed ‘moneylender-free village’ initiative. The report also suggested lower interest rates for agriculture-based projects, adequate moratorium periods and priority lending for supplementary activities such as beekeeping, sericulture and mushroom cultivation. The task force has recommended targeted rehabilitation measures for women from families affected by farmer suicides, including assistance to establish sustainable agricultural livelihoods. Climate resilience, water management The report identifies climate change and water insecurity as important contributors to agricultural vulnerability. It recommends expanding micro-irrigation, improving existing farm ponds, completing incomplete irrigation projects and repairing canals to strengthen water availability. Teaching farmers water-management techniques, alongside efforts to promote combined food crops, fodder, dairy, flowers and beekeeping, is also recommended. The underlying objective is to reduce dependence on rainfall-sensitive crops and provide farm households with alternative sources of income during periods of crop failure. Download the TOI App.