26,339 Maharashtra farmers committed suicide in last 17 years: Govt

As many as 26,339 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra from 2001 to October 2017, of which 12,805 took the extreme step due to indebtedness and unproductive land

As many as 26,339 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra from 2001 to October 2017, of which 12,805 took the extreme step due to indebtedness and unproductive land, the state government said on Friday.

In this May 10, 2016, photo, a Shepard drinks water on the dry bed of Manjara Dam, which supplies water to Latur and nearby villages in Marathwada region, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. (AP File Photo)

“The number of farmers, who committed suicide from 2001 to October 2017 is 26,339. Of them, 12,805 farmers killed themselves due to unproductive land, indebtedness and insistence on repayment of loan,” Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil told the Legislative Assembly.

He was speaking on the issue of farmers’ suicide raised by Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.

“Between January 1 and August 15 this year, 580 farmers from Marathwada region committed suicide. Beed district alone reported 115 suicides (this year),” Patil said.