Kishor Tiwari, a prominent activist and former member of the Maharashtra State Commission for Farmers, has alleged that 102 farmers died by suicide in Yavatmal district in the year 2026. Tiwari claimed that these tragic deaths were not isolated incidents but were a direct consequence of deeply flawed agricultural policies, denial of institutional credit, repeated failures of crop insurance schemes, skyrocketing cultivation costs, and prolonged neglect by the government.
Systemic failures blamed
Speaking to the media, Tiwari emphasized that the Vidarbha region has been witnessing a persistent crisis, with farmers trapped in a cycle of debt and despair. He pointed out that despite numerous promises and schemes, the ground reality remains grim. The denial of timely and adequate credit from banks forces farmers to turn to private moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates, pushing them further into debt.
Crop insurance and rising costs
Tiwari also highlighted the failure of crop insurance schemes, which often do not provide adequate compensation for crop losses. Farmers are left with little recourse when their crops fail due to unpredictable weather or pest attacks. Additionally, the rising costs of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides have made farming economically unviable for small and marginal farmers.
Government neglect
The activist accused the state and central governments of turning a blind eye to the agrarian distress in Vidarbha. He called for urgent measures, including debt waivers, guaranteed minimum support prices, and strengthening of the public distribution system to provide relief to affected families.
The Maharashtra government has yet to officially respond to Tiwari's allegations. However, the issue is expected to be raised in the upcoming session of the state legislature, with opposition parties demanding a thorough investigation and immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
