3. Objectives
1. To study the socio- economic characteristics of
the farmers suicided in Vidarbha
2. To study the income and expenditure pattern of
the farmers suicided in Vidarbha
3. To identify the factors responsible for the
suicide of the farmers.
4. Different Reports on Farmer’s Suicides
Sr.
No
Report By
1 Welfare Subsystem for the Karnataka. Deshpande2002
2 Market Imperfections and Farmers’ Distress in
Maharashtra-Oct 2003.
Mohanty and Shroff
Gokhale Institue of Politics and Economics
Submitted to :- Agro-economic Research Centre,
3 Causes of Farmers Suicides in Maharashtra:
An Enquiry March-2005
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Osmanabad
Submitted to:- Mumbai High Court
4 Suicide of Farmers in Maharashtra
–Jan 2006
Shrijit Mishra, Indira Gandhi Institute of
Development Research.
Submitted to:- Maharashtra Government.
5 Circumstances in which Farmers Committed
suicide in Buldhana district of Vidarbha
Region.-Feb –2006(Seminar Report)
H.R.Rajput
Dr.PDKV, Akola
6 A Study on the Distressed Marginal Farmers
in the Suicide affected villages of Western
Vidarbha Zone -Feb-06
Savitri Jyotirao Samajikarya Mahavidyalaya ,
Yavatmal
7 National Commission on Farmers- Fourth
Report
M.S. Swaminathan
5. Causes and Recommendations of Different Reports
1. Welfare Subsystem for the Karnataka
Recommendations:
Creation of Farmers Welfare Fund and Security System for aged farmers and awareness of the
harmful effects of alcohol consumption etc.
2. Market Imperfections and Farmers’ Distress in Maharashtra
Causes:
The macro as well as the micro level analysis indicates that market imperfection in process of
causing loss of agricultural income for the farmers have created economic hardship for them.
Such hardship pushes the farmers to distressful conditions when crop fails owing to bad weather
or adverse agro-climatic conditions and consequenent indebtness to informal agencies .
Recommendations:
1.Creation of Awareness among the farmers about their duties, obligations and responsibilities
toward their family, community and society at large
2. Dissemination of the Insecticide Resistance Management (INM) strategies for Cotton.
3.Public and Private agencies must ensure the purity and distribution of seed to interior villages.
4.National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) must be encouraged.
5. Private Sector must be allowed to develop agricultural markets as it will improve market
infrastructure and reduce market imperfections
6. Cotton Federation should operate in competition with private traders regarding the cotton
prices and should avoid delay in payment. .
6. Causes and Recommendations of Different Reports
continue….
3. Causes of Farmers Suicides in Maharashtra: An Enquiry
Causes:
1.Heavy indebtedness
2.Mismatch of Cost of Cultivation and Minimum Support Prices
3. Overuse of Fertilizers and pesticides and use of Genetically Modified seeds(GM)
4. Increase in number of small farmers (land holdings problem)
5. Private moneylending
6.Rainfed Agriculture.
7. Lack to access the information
8. 80 % victims didn’t received any compensation from government
9. Absence of safety net
Major three:- Repeated crop failure, rising cost of cultivation and indebtness .
Recommendations:
1.Immediate recommendations are:- payment of 2.5 lakh to victim families, investigation of
circumstances, creation of safety net covering the assurance of minimum life support system for the
cultivator and their production system, provision of facility of e-network for getting information,
2. Long-term Solutions are :- Rehabilitation of the system, policies focusing farmers, policies to
support the marginal and small farmers, polices supporting crop cultivation and price support policies.
Minimum Support Prices should match up with cost of cultivation, creation of safety net for cultivators
and their families. Setting up commission for taking decisions on issues of Genetically Modified
Technology and its impact on agriculture. Commission for issue of irrigation schemes in terms of surface
and groundwater irrigation.
7. Causes and Recommendations of Different Reports
continue….
4. Suicide of Farmers in Maharashtra
Causes:
1. Indebtness
2. Higher Cost of Cultivation
3. Deterioration of economic status
4. Conflict with other family members
5. Crop failure.
6. Burden of marriages.
7. Addictions
8. Disputes with neighbours
9. Health problems
Recommendations:
Revitalize rural financial market, Regulation of private moneylenders, finance through Self
Help Groups. Crop Insurance, Water management, Land management, diversification, revive of
extension, improvement in input quality, organic farming, Integrated Pest Management should
be encouraged, Increase in Import Tariff, Price Stabilization, Reduction in use of pesticides,
Creation of Helplines, reduction in social expenditures
8. Causes and Recommendations of Different Reports
continue….
5. Circumstances in which Farmers Committed suicide in Buldhana district of Vidarbha Region
Causes:
Circumstances are interlinked and not a particular cause is responsible.
Recommendations:
1.Farmer should adopt recommended cropping pattern.
2. Conservation of water and rainwater harvesting need to be done.
3. Diversification is must
4.Reduction in use of Chemicals (insecticides and fertilizer)
5. Cooperative Farming is recommended.
6.Federation and monopoly cotton procurement scheme should give advance payment for
cotton cultivation.
7. Infrastructural development is need to be developed.
9. Causes and Recommendations of Different Reports
continue….
6. A Study on the Distressed Marginal Farmers in the Suicide affected villages of Western
Vidarbha Zone
Causes:
81 Reasons are given regarding to Lack of Land Management, Seed and sowing methods
problems, adverse economic condition, Lack of Resources management, Social problems, lack
of Human Resources Management, lack of Training and Incidental events.
Recommendations:
1.Arrangement of trainings and demonstrations at village level
2. Give solutions/demonstrations directly on the farm of the marginal farmers
3.Encourage the supplementary farm enterprises
4. Major emphasis was given on soil and water conservation, watershed development,
cropping pattern and diversification
10. Causes and Recommendations of Different Reports
continue….
7. National Commission on Farmers- Fourth Report
Recommendations:
Land Use, soil health enhancements, augmentation of area under
irrigation coupled with efficiency in water use, credit and insurance
reform, technology upgradation and dissemination, Market
development with supporting infrastructure, health and livelihood
security of farm population
11. • Area of Study : Out of total 11 districts the
7district(Buldhana, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Yeotmal,
Wardha and Nagpur) of Vidarbha are selected for the study.
The Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli have
negligible cases of suicides and sample is not sufficient for
analysis. So these four district are not included in analysis
• Total Sample size:- 205 farmers suicide cases are
considered (Male = 199 and Female=6)
• Data Collection Period :2005-06
Methodology
12. Sr. No Districts Numbers of
Farmer’s
Suicide till
sept 2006
Numbers of Farmer’s
Suicide considered by
govt for genuine
reason
1 Buldhana 504 186
2 Akola 308 185
3 Washim 300 179
4 Amravati 570 231
5 Wardha 277 118
6 Yeotmal 815 400
Vidarbha 2774 1299
Actual Number of Farmers Suicide Cases
Source: www.vnss-mission.gov.in , 6 districts of state govt package
13. Sr. No Annual period Actulal Farmers
Suicide
Considered
Farmers
Suicide
Growth in
number of
actual
suicide cases
(6 districts) (6 districts) (percent)
1 1/1/2001 to 31/12/2001 49 29 100
2 1/1/2002 to 31/12/2002 105 72 214
3 1/1/2003 to 31/12/2003 143 89 291
4 1/1/2004 to 31/12/2004 441 249 900
5 1/1/2005 to 31/12/2005 429 273 879
6 1/1/2006 to 31/12/2006 1446 577 2957
1/1/2007 to 31/2/2007 159 10
Total Numbers of Farmers
Suicide
2774 1299
Growth in number of Farmers Suicide during last six year
15. Age Group of the suicided farmers in Vidarbha
1.46
35.12
51.71
11.71
0-20 yrs
20-39 yrs
40-59 yrs
Above 60 yrs
1) Age Group of the farmers suicided in Vidarbha
In the Vidarbha, the 51.71 percent suicided farmers were ranging between age group of 40 to 59 years,
while the 35.12 percent suicided farmers were ranging between age group of 20 to 39 years. Among the
districts, in Yeotmal, the 60.78 farmers were ranging between age of 40 to 59 years. The percentage
revealed that the maximum farmers were belonging to the age group when the person usually has
responsibility of family.
16.
17. Educational Status of the suicided farmers in Vidarbha
11.71
19.51
19.02
41.95
7.80
Illiterate
Prinmary School
Middle School
High School
Collage
2) Educational Status of the farmers suicided in Vidarbha
The highest percentage of the educational level of suicided farmers in Vidarbha was high school level i.e.
41.95 percent farmers were high school educated.. Among the districts, farmers in the Amravati were
mostly high school educated (58 percent).
18.
19. Distribution of Farmers as per size of holding
16.59
32.68
30.73
16.59
3.41
0 to 0.99
1 to 1.99
2 to 3.99
4 to 9.99
above 10
3) A) Average Size of land holding of the farmers suicided in Vidarbha.
The average size of land holding is farms of the suicided farmers in Vidarbha was 2.68 ha per farm.
The average land holding per farm were highest in Washim i.e. 4.15 hectares. The number of farmers in havening
land between 1 to 1.99 and between 2 to 3.99 were highest i.e. 32.68 and 30.73 percent respectively.
20.
21. Share of Irrigated land in total land of the farmers suicided in
Vidarbha
2.54
0.00
8.84
2.51
22.61
7.98
11.59
6.17
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
Yeotm
al
Buldhana
Am
ravati
W
ashim
N
agpur
Akola
W
ardha
Vidarbha
District
Percent
22. Cropping Pattern of the farms of the suicided
farmers in Vidarbha
35.78
33.16
8.11
8.71
3.94
2.39
0.39
0.77
0.04
1.75
4.48
0.49
Cotton
Soybean
Tur
Kh. Jowar
Mung
Udid
Sunflower
Groundnut
Wheat
Gram
Safflower
Other Crop
3) B) Cropping Pattern of the farm of the suicided farmers in Vidarbha
24. 4) Family size of the farmers suicided in Vidarbha
The family size of Vidarbha family indicates the number of female per family was 2.59 and number
of male was 3.15
Familysize of farmers suicided in Vidarbha
3.18 3.38 3.26
2.91 2.87
3.45
3.00 3.15
2.45
1.96
2.78 2.57 2.53 2.59
3.25
2.59
5.63
5.33
6.04
5.48 5.40
6.05 6.25
5.74
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
Yeotm
al
Buldhana
Am
ravati
W
ashim
Nagpur
Akola
W
ardha
Vidarbha
district
familysize
Male
Female
fimily size
25.
26. 5) Fix Capital Investment of the farmers suicided in Vidarbha.
The per farm fix capital investment was Rs. 281350.03 in Vidaarbha. Out of this the value of land was Rs.
273360.00 and value of other assets was Rs. 7990.03. The value of other assets was very low and reveals the holding
of others assets than land is less, which make difficulties in operating farm practices.
Fixed Capital of the familyof the suicided farmers in Vidarbha
251940.00
141780.00
358020.00
423300.00
182580.00
279480.00 277440.00 273360.00
6805.00 7345.71 10718.00 9130.43 3780.33 8854.77 8276.00 7990.03
0.00
50000.00
100000.00
150000.00
200000.00
250000.00
300000.00
350000.00
400000.00
450000.00
Yeotm
al
Bulbhana
Am
ravati
W
ashim
Nagpur
Akola
W
ardha
Vidarbha
District
FixCapital
Value Of Land
Value of other assets
27.
28. Per annumregular expenditure of the familyof the
suicided farmers in Vidarbha
10946.41
2664.19 3718.28 2026.45 857.23 595.49
20808.06
0.00
5000.00
10000.00
15000.00
20000.00
25000.00
Annualgrocery
Education
ClothesElectricityBillsLuxuriousitems
Other
Total
Items
Expenditure
6) Regular Expenditure of the families of the Farmers Suicided in Vidarbha.
The annual regular expenditure on grocery, bills, clothes, luxurious items was Rs. 20808.06 in
Vidarbha. The expenditure on grocery, clothes and education was Rs.10946.41(52.61 percent), 3718.28(17.87
percent) and 2664.19(12.80 percent) respectively.
29.
30. Last 10 years expenditure on major events
20553.30
43256.56
8126.52 5068.13 1874.83
78879.33
0.00
10000.00
20000.00
30000.00
40000.00
50000.00
60000.00
70000.00
80000.00
90000.00
House
construction
Marriage Illness Social
ceromanies
Other Total
ExpeditureEvents/Incidence
Expenditure
per annum expenditure =7887.93
7) Last 10 years expenditure on major events/incidences of the families of the Farmers Suicided in Vidarbha
Per family the expenditure on major events like marriage, house construction, social ceremonies and illness
or the 10 years is considered other than regular expenditure. The estimates indicate that in Vidarbha region the major
expenditure was made on marriage during the last 10 years i.e. Rs. 43256.56(54.84 percent), it is followed by house
construction (Rs. 20553.30). The total expenditure during last 10 years was Rs. 78879.33. and per annum it comes Rs
7887.93. It indicate the saving of the each family should be at least Rs7887.93 to cover the expenditure on major events
the major events. The saving need to be highest in Akola (Rs 13725.45 )
31.
32. Income and Expenditure of the family of the suicided
farmers in Vidarbha
3627.84
20808.06
7887.93
-25068.15
-30000
-20000
-10000
0
10000
20000
30000
Net Income Peryear regular
family
expenditure
Per year
expenditure on
Events
Gap between
Net Return and
Annual
expenditure
Particulars
Incomeand
Expenditure
8) Costs and Returns of different enterprises of the families of the suicided farmers in Vidarbha.
The net income from all enterprises was Rs. 3627.84 per annum . While the per annum regular
expenditure was Rs.20808.06 and expenditure on events was Rs.7887.93. (total Rs.28695.99). It indicates the
expenditure per annum is more by Rs. 25068.15 over the net income per annum.. If farmers uses recommended
expenditure i.e. Rs 37140 per family, the gap between income and expenditure will be Rs.33512.16.
33.
34. Gap between recommended expenditure and present net income
of the family of the suicided farmers in Vidarbha
3627.84
37140
-33512.16-40000
-20000
0
20000
40000
60000
Net Income Per annum
recommended
expenditue
Gap between Net Return
and Annual expenditure
particular
Expenditureand
Income
35. 9) Loan Status of the Farmers Suicided in Vidarbha.
Out of total loan cases, the 42.81 percent loan cases were from cooperative bank, 18.96 percent were
from relatives and 18.68 percent were from nationalized banks in Vidarbha. On average debt per head in Vidarbha is
Rs. 50730.25. The percentage of debted farmers in Vidarbha is 97.07. Among the districts, the debt per head was
highest in Akola i.e. Rs 65710.28, it is followed by Washim Rs.52483.17. Regular family expenditure like grocery,
bills, clothes etc as well as expenditure on events likes marriage, house construction, social ceremonies and illness is
significantly correlated with loan in Vidarbha.
Sources of the loan taken by the farmers suicided in Vidarbha
(Percent)
18.65
42.81
15.60
18.96
3.98
Nationalised Bank
Cooperative Bank
Private Moneylender
Relatives
Other
36.
37. Debt per head of the suicided farmers family in Vidarbha (Rs.)
37487.18
45961.11
50098.4352483.1751685.13
65710.28
51686.46 50730.25
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
Yeotm
al
Bulbhana
Am
ravati
W
ashim
Nagpur
Akola
W
ardha
Vidarbha
District
Debt
Debt per head
38.
39. 10) Reasons of farmers suicide:
The 25 reasons forcing the farmers to commit
suicides are identified. Out of 25 reasons,
1)Deterioration of economic condition 58 %
2)Continuous crop failure 57 %
3)Improper and unstable price 53 %
4)Bank loan 48 %
5)High cost technology 41 %
6)Family expenditure. 35 %
7)Marriage expenditure 25 %
40.
41.
42. 11) Measure suggested to stop the farmers suicides
The farmers suggested some measure to improve the
economic condition and to stop the suicides
1) Proper and stable price to their produce 93%
2) Exempted from loan 87%
3) Creation of irrigation infrastructure 49 %
4) Employment generation 42 %
5) Low cost of input chemicals. 42 %
43.
44.
45. Conclusion
• The indebted farmers were 97 percent.
• The net income from all recourses was negligible i.e.Rs 3627.84 per annum
per family
• The family expenditure was Rs.28695.99 per annum per family.
• The price received per quintal was not stable and not covering the cost of
cultivation.
Policy Implications
• The farmer may be exempted from loan.
• The efforts are needed to get proper and stable price for his produce .
• The basic infrastructure can be created to increase income from different
sources.
• Income from subsidiary enterprises can be increased for the upliftment of
the economic condition of farmers to cover the recommended expenditure
per family.
46.
47. Income Group
Sr. No District Costs Returns Costs Returns Costs Returns Costs Returns
1 Yeotmal 7265.77 12351.85 28250.00 26705.56 45000.00 40000.00 91500.00 80300.00
2 Bulbhana 8289.20 11715.25 25931.00 27314.00 44000.00 46620.00 70000.00 110100.00
3 Amravati 10265.24 13655.83 26430.00 28913.24 48000.00 47166.67 112250.00 113810.00
4 Washim 10380.00 11280.00 26550.00 27975.00 48175.00 46150.00 67000.00 86333.33
5 Nagpur 7260.71 10663.89 24225.00 26586.40 NA NA NA NA
6 Akola 8536.07 13420.00 28637.50 28861.36 49500.00 55800.00 66000.00 68370.00
7 Wardha 10290.91 12575.00 24400.00 29700.00 NA NA NA NA
Vidarbha 8898.27 12237.40 26346.21 28007.94 46935.00 47147.33 81350.00 91782.67
Sample Size
20000 to 399990 to 19999 40001 to 59999 60000 above
86(41.95) 79(38.54) 16(7.80) 24(11.71)
Returnwise Costs and Returns of different enterprises per family
