According to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers ended their lives in 2023. Maharashtra accounted for the highest proportion with 38.5% of suicides, followed by Karnataka at 22.5%. Together, these two states contributed more than 60% of the tragic incidents.
The report classifies the victims as 4,690 farmers or cultivators and 6,096 agricultural laborers. Among the farmers who died by suicide, 4,553 were male and 137 female. Among the farm workers, 5,433 were male and 663 female. Farm suicides represented 6.3% of the total suicides in the country, which reached 1,71,418 in 2023.
Following Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh (8.6%), Madhya Pradesh (7.2%), and Tamil Nadu (5.9%) also reported significant numbers of farmer suicides. Meanwhile, states and territories including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and a few others reported no suicides linked to farming, though some experts question the accuracy of these figures.
The All India Kisan Sabha President, Ashok Dhawale, criticized the central government’s policies, blaming them for the ongoing crisis. He expressed concerns that waiving import duties on cotton, a key crop in many affected regions, could worsen the situation. Dr. Dhawale urged the government to acknowledge the systemic nature of the problem and take robust action, noting that despite over 10,000 suicides annually in the farm sector over the past three years, the response has been inadequate.
He also pointed out discrepancies in the data from various states, suggesting that reported numbers might underrepresent the true extent of the crisis, particularly in states like West Bengal. The activist accused the government of prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of farmers, highlighting the urgent need for policy changes to address mental health and economic pressures in rural India.
