India: Financial crisis led almost 15000 farmers to commit suicide

Almost 15000 farmers have committed suicide between October 2014 and August 2019 in 11 districts falling under the Nagpur and Amravati revenue divisions of Maharashtra, Indian state.

State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister of Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar said “From October 2014 to August 2019, as many as 14,591 farmers have committed suicide, of which 5,430 cases are disqualified for any help, while another 214 cases are pending for inquiry.”

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Vijay Wadettiwar also informed that there has been a special package for six districts in Maharashtra where farmer suicides have been reported in large numbers.

The Maharashtra government had also announced a loan waiver scheme for farmers.

India is the world’s fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP).

According to the IMF, on a per capita income basis, India ranked 142nd by GDP (nominal) and 119th by GDP (PPP) in 2018.

The agricultural sector of India employs more than 50% of the population.