Key Points
Massive Decline in Suicides: Farmer suicides in Telangana have decreased by 686.5% from 2015 to 2022, according to NCRB data.
Reduction in National Share: Telangana’s share of farmer suicides in India dropped from 11.1% in 2015 to 1.57% in 2022.
2015 Crisis: In 2015, severe drought conditions contributed to approximately 1,400 farming-related suicides in Telangana.
2022 Improvement: By 2022, farming-related suicides in Telangana decreased significantly to 178.
Rythu Bandhu Scheme: Directly deposited around Rs 73,000 crore into the accounts of 70 lakh farmers over 11 crop seasons.
Rythu Bima Scheme: Provided Rs 5 lakh life insurance coverage to every land-owning farmer.
Power Supply: Ensured uninterrupted and quality free power supply.
Irrigation Projects: Completed major projects like the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
Leadership Reaction: BRS working president KT Rama Rao highlighted the decline in farmer suicides as a significant achievement, emphasizing the government’s ‘Farmer First’ approach.
Model for Other States: Telangana’s success could serve as a model for other states facing similar challenges, demonstrating the impact of comprehensive agricultural support policies.
Dramatic Decline in Farmer Suicides in Telangana: NCRB Data Analysis
Hyderabad: In an encouraging development for the agricultural sector in Telangana, the number of farmer suicides has plummeted by an astonishing 686.5% from 2015 to 2022. This significant reduction is attributed to the proactive measures taken by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government since the state’s formation.
A Sharp Drop in Suicides
According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Telangana’s share of farmer suicides in India fell from 11.1% in 2015 to just 1.57% in 2022. In 2015, the state witnessed around 1,400 farming-related suicides, a period marked by severe drought conditions that affected farmers nationwide. By 2022, this number had dramatically decreased to 178, all of whom were farmers and tenant farmers.
Comparative National Trends
The broader national trend, however, remains concerning. In 2015, 12,602 individuals in the farming sector, including 8,007 farmers and tenant farmers, died by suicide across India. Despite various efforts, the national figure only slightly declined to 11,290 by 2022, with 5,207 being farmers and tenant farmers. This highlights the stark contrast in the effectiveness of Telangana’s measures compared to the national scenario.
Factors Contributing to Suicides
NCRB data reveals that about 75% of the suicides among farmers were small and marginal farmers holding up to two hectares of land. Major reasons for these suicides included severe socioeconomic hardships such as bankruptcy, indebtedness, crop failure, and other farming-related issues, which accounted for over 60% of the cases.
Government Initiatives and Their Impact
The BRS government, under Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, implemented several key initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. The Rythu Bandhu scheme, India’s first farm input assistance program, stands out as a cornerstone of these efforts. The scheme has directly deposited approximately Rs 73,000 crore into the bank accounts of around 70 lakh farmers over 11 consecutive crop seasons.
Additionally, the Rythu Bima scheme provided Rs 5 lakh in life insurance coverage to every land-owning farmer. The government also rolled out a crop loan waiver totaling Rs 25,000 crore in two phases, ensured uninterrupted and quality free power supply, rejuvenated lakes, and completed major irrigation projects like the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
Leadership Reactions
Sharing his delight on social media, BRS working president KT Rama Rao hailed the decrease in farmer suicides as the biggest achievement of the K Chandrashekhar Rao government. He emphasized that ‘Farmer First’ was more than just a slogan, as it was supported by revolutionary policies.
A Model for Others?
The remarkable success in Telangana could serve as a model for other states grappling with similar issues. The significant decline in farmer suicides in Telangana underscores the potential impact of well-designed and effectively implemented agricultural policies. As the data suggests, comprehensive support systems for farmers can lead to substantial improvements in their livelihoods and mental health.
The dramatic reduction in farmer suicides in Telangana is a testament to the effectiveness of the BRS government’s initiatives. By focusing on holistic and sustainable agricultural support, the state has set a benchmark for addressing one of the most pressing issues facing the farming community today. As other states observe these developments, there is hope that similar strategies could be employed nationwide to support India’s farmers.
