An MoU was signed on Wednesday between the District Collector's Office, Jalgaon, and Poet Bahinabai Chaudhary North Maharashtra University to investigate the root causes of farmer suicides and study government interventions for livelihood.

On January 11, 2025, FPJ published the news of 2,583 farmer suicides in 24 years. The District Collector took serious note of this and took action.

2,583 farmers killed themselves last 24 years

In the last 24 years, 2,583 farmers committed suicide in Jalgaon district. In 2024 alone, 168 farmers took their lives. Until 2000, farmer suicides were mainly occurring in Vidarbha, becoming a major concern in the state. In 2001, for the first time, nine farmer suicides were recorded in the district. After that, the suicide rate gradually started increasing. From 2006 to 2010, 356 suicides were recorded, then in the five years up to 2015, 669 suicides were recorded. In the five years from 2016 to 2020, 807 suicides were recorded. Although the suicide rate is rising, the reasons behind this have not been explored or studied in-depth. District Collector Ayush Prasad decided to take this issue seriously for the first time and find out the reasons. This responsibility was entrusted to North Maharashtra University. An MoU was signed with the university for this purpose.

Under this agreement, a house-to-house survey of about 330 affected farmer families will be conducted through the District Planning Office. This will focus on identifying the socio-economic and psychological factors leading to suicides and the gaps in government assistance. The survey will also identify the basic needs of farmers and their families and suggest solutions for employment generation, financial security, mental health support, and improved agricultural practices. The study is expected to be completed by May 5, 2025, and a report will be submitted. This will be the first such study on farmer suicides, serving as an example of what can happen when officers are sensitive to the issue.