Agrarian Distress and Farmers Suicide in Wardha District of Maharashtra

Agriculture is the major livelihood source of more than 80 percent population in Wardha district of Maharashtra. However, farmers are suffered from economic distress and committing suicide in district. This paper mainly focuses on economic situation of suicide victim farmers of Wardha district. An increasing number of small and marginal operational holdings, rainfed and seasonal nature of farming have creating many issues before farmers in district. The income generated from farming does not sufficient to meeting consumption expenditure of suicide victim families. A per capita income of more than 47 percent selected suicide victim farmers was found less than below poverty line (BPL) and 43 percent had maximum double of BPL. Moreover, 90 percent selected victims had indebted and committed suicide for permanent outcome from pressure of debt return. Therefore, focus of government shall improve living standard of farmers and agricultural labours by providing easy employment opportunities through extension of subsidiary activities, promoting agro processing industry and skill based cottage industry for sustainable and inclusive development of distressed regions particularly Wardha district.