692 farmers commit suicide in Karnataka in 11 months
Bengaluru: The persistent drought crisis in Karnataka state, India, has led to a staggering toll of 692 farmer suicides in the past eleven months, according to data from the Revenue Department.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the figures underscore the acute rural distress prevailing in Karnataka, with Haveri, Belagavi, and Chikkamagaluru bearing the brunt of the crisis, experiencing the highest suicide rates among farmers. Alongside the suicides, the state has also recorded 548 accidental deaths among farmers during the same period, amounting to a total of 1,240 farmer fatalities in the past ten months, averaging more than four deaths per day.
The state government attributes the suicides primarily to farm loan distress compounded by the prolonged drought conditions. With 223 out of 236 taluks declared as drought-hit, including 196 severe drought-hit and 27 moderately affected, the agricultural sector faces immense strain.
The data further reveals that a substantial number of farmers rely on loans from cooperative institutions and private money lenders. However, while compensation is available for suicides linked to bank loans, the criteria exclude many farmers who depend on private lenders, intensifying their financial burden and psychological distress.
Farmers’ suicides due to debt warrant compensation of Rs 5 lakh, accompanied by a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 for the spouse. Meanwhile, those succumbing to accidents, including snakebites, receive Rs 2 lakh in compensation.
The state government’s compensation efforts have been ongoing since 2010, with disbursements made in 448 out of 692 suicide cases and 307 out of 548 accidental deaths. However, 76 suicide and 42 accidental death applications have been rejected, leaving many families without support in their time of need.
