In alarming statistics revealed by the Jalgaon district administration, a total of 2,583 farmers died by suicide in the last 24 years. In 2024 alone, 168 farmers died by suicide, the administration added.
Until the year 2000, the rate of farmer suicides was high in Vidarbha, which had become a matter of concern in the state. However, since 2001, farmers in Jalgaon started dying by suicide as well. Nine suicides were first reported in 2001, followed by two in 2002 and only one in 2003. Therefore, it was initially believed that there was no cause for concern in the district. However, when 25 suicides were reported in 2004 and 24 in 2005, it was shocking.
In 2006, 86 suicides were reported, and this number started to increase. Between 2006 and 2010, 356 suicides were reported, while in the five years from 2011 to 2015, 669 suicides took place. According to the statistics provided by the administration, 807 suicides were recorded in the five years from 2016 to 2021, 175 in 2021, 196 in 2022, 151 in 2023 and 168 in 2024. The highest number of suicides occurred in 2019 and 2022 with 196 each, while 190 suicides occurred in 2015. In 2014, there were 174 suicides, and since then, this number has been continuously rising. In total, 2,583 farmers have died by suicide in the last 24 years.
In 2024 alone, 168 suicides have taken place, with the highest number - 21 suicides - occurring in December. This was followed by 18 suicides each in February and April, and 14 suicides each in March and July.
Interestingly, it is observed that the suicide rate is higher in certain talukas, while in some talukas, it is low. Analysing this pattern could help the administration in identifying the causes of suicides. However, this issue has not been addressed by the administration yet. It was stated that there was no instruction about maintaining taluka-wise suicide statistics, making it difficult to identify specific factors leading to farmer suicides in Jalgaon.
| Year | Farmer Suicides |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 86 |
| 2007 | 78 |
| 2008 | 66 |
| 2009 | 59 |
| 2010 | 67 |
| 2011 | 95 |
| 2012 | 116 |
| 2013 | 94 |
| 2014 | 174 |
| 2015 | 190 |
| 2016 | 171 |
| 2017 | 94 |
| 2018 | 148 |
| 2019 | 196 |
| 2020 | 147 |
| 2021 | 175 |
| 2022 | 196 |
| 2023 | 151 |
| 2024 | 168 |
