The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has said in its report that 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers committed suicide in 2023, and the most number of them were from Maharashtra (38.5%), followed by Karnataka (22.5%).
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reported that 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers committed suicide in 2023, and the most number of them were from Maharashtra (38.5%), followed by Karnataka (22.5%). The suicide accounted for 6.3% of the total suicides in the country in the year 2023. 4,553 male farmers committed suicide, and 137 females committed suicide in the year 2023.
“Policies are not made for farmers; the small and marginal farmers are facing the most problems,” Manisha Tokle, who works for rights of farmers told FoEJ Media.
“They take loans, but they are unable to repay them. They cannot run their household, they fall into depression, and eventually end up taking their own lives,” she added.
After Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh (8.6%), Madhya Pradesh (7.2%), and Tamil Nadu (5.9%) recorded the most suicides. West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Lakshadweep reported no suicides from the farm belt.
Key reasons behind farmer suicide
As reported by the National Library of Medicine, the reasons behind increasing farmer suicide cases are debts, addiction, environmental problems, poor prices for farmer produce, stress and family responsibility, government apathy, poor irrigation, increased cost of cultivation, private money lenders, and crop failure.
Key schemes of the government for farmers
PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi
Launched in February 2019 by the Modi government, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) provides ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments directly into the bank accounts of small and marginal landholder farmers. As of November 2025, as per the ministry statement,more than ₹3.70 lakh crore has been disbursed to 11 crore farmer families via 20 previous installments.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Launched in 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides comprehensive, low-cost crop insurance against natural calamities, pests, diseases, prevented sowing, and post-harvest losses. Farmers pay just a 2% premium for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops—the rest is heavily subsidized by the Center and states.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
Launched in 1998 by NABARD, the Kisan Credit Card provides short-term loans for crop cultivation, allied activities (dairy and fisheries), and post-harvest needs via a flexible ATM-enabled card. Farmers enjoy 7% interest (effectively 4% with a 3% prompt repayment incentive) up to ₹5 lakh—raised from ₹3 lakh in Budget 2025. As of Nov 2025, over 7.7 crore operative cards carry ₹10+ lakh crore in sanctioned limits. Extended to animal husbandry/fisheries since 2018-19, it reduces moneylender dependence amid rising input costs.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
Launched in September 2019, PM-KMY offers an assured ₹3,000 monthly pension (₹36,000 yearly) after age 60 to small and marginal farmers (up to 2 hectares of land). Farmers aged 18-40 contribute ₹55-₹200 monthly (matched by the government) till 60. Voluntary and contributory, managed by LIC, it provides dignity in old age amid income uncertainty. Over 18-23 lakh enrolled nationwide; spouse gets 50% family pension on death. Slow uptake persists due to awareness gaps.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
Launched in 2020 under Atmanirbhar Bharat, the ₹1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund mobilizes medium- to long-term loans for farm-gate projects like warehouses, cold storages, processing units, and community assets. Farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, and agri-entrepreneurs get a 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee up to ₹2 crore. Expanded in 2024-25 with PM-KUSUM convergence and NABSanrakshan coverage, it has sanctioned thousands of projects, added ~550 LMT storage capacity, and generated over 9 lakh rural jobs by early 2025.
Soil Health Card Scheme
Launched in February 2015 at Suratgarh, Rajasthan, the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme provides farmers a wallet-sized report on 12 soil parameters (N, P, K, pH, EC, micronutrients, etc.) every 2–3 years, along with crop-specific fertilizer recommendations. Under the new 2024–26 cycle, testing has been accelerated with 1,600+ soil labs and village-level collection.
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
Launched on 14 April 2016, e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading portal integrating APMC mandis for transparent online bidding, better price discovery, and direct payments to farmers.
Re-ignited Farmers’ Protest
The farmers’ protests have re-ignited across several states as unions mobilise thousands to demand legally guaranteed minimum support prices, loan waivers, and fair procurement policies. Demonstrations, sit-ins, and tractor marches were reported at key border points, where heavy security deployment led to tense stand-offs. Farmers accuse the government of reneging on earlier assurances given during the 2020–21 agitation, while officials insist fresh negotiations are under way. With supply chains slowing and political pressure mounting ahead of upcoming elections, the standoff has once again placed agrarian distress at the centre of India’s national conversation.
