#news #agriculture #India #climatechange
In India, farmer suicides have a long history, with recent tragic incidents shedding light on the challenges faced by farmers. Mirabai Khindkar stood in her small field in Maharashtra state, devastated after her crops were destroyed by extreme weather conditions. Following her husband’s suicide, it was revealed that their land had been mortgaged for loans.
The impact of water scarcity, floods, rising temperatures, and erratic rainfall has severely affected the livelihoods of around 45% of India’s massive population of 1.4 billion, who depend on agriculture for employment. Mirabai’s husband, Amol, had borrowed loans from moneylenders after their three-acre farm of soybeans, millet, and cotton dried up in the scorching heat, exceeding their annual income manifold.
Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News, commented that the agricultural sector in Maharashtra, home to approximately 180 million people, has been facing personal tragedies like Mirabai’s on a daily basis, reflecting the dire situation of farmers across the region.
Experts warn that climate change-induced extreme weather events have adversely impacted over 32 million hectares of farmland in India, an area larger than Belgium, with Maharashtra bearing over 60% of the brunt.
Ramesh Khatri mentioned that the situation calls for urgent measures such as robust insurance schemes and investments in agricultural research to support farmers in coping with such challenges. He highlighted the need for government assistance in providing farmers with the necessary tools to mitigate risks posed by uncertain weather patterns.
Khatri emphasized that while agriculture has sustained many, the increasing risks due to climate change and its unpredictability have weakened the economic viability of small and marginal farmers. He stressed the importance of timely interventions and support to prevent further loss of livelihoods in the agricultural sector.
The tragic trend of farmer suicides in Maharashtra, which has the highest rate in the country, is a nationwide issue. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2022, 30 farmers in the agriculture sector took their lives daily in India.
In conclusion, Ramesh Khatri highlighted the urgent need for sustainable solutions and financial support to prevent more farmers from falling into debt traps and facing the devastating consequences of crop failures.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: June 9, 2025 7:00 pm
