Agrarian Crisis and Farmer Suicides in India: A Regional Analysis of Vidarbha
Keywords:
Agrarian distress, Farmer suicides, Conservation agriculture, Farmer Producer Organizations, Vidarbha, Ergonomics, Livelihood sustainabilityAbstract
Indian agriculture continues to face persistent agrarian distress marked by income instability, climate vulnerability, and high incidences of farmer suicides, particularly in rainfed regions. This study examines the structural causes of agrarian distress with a focused regional analysis of Maharashtra and the Vidarbha region. Using a qualitative and analytical approach based on secondary data and policy review, the paper analyses economic, ecological, and institutional drivers of livelihood insecurity, including rising costs of cultivation, climate variability, weak market integration, and limitations of existing risk mitigation mechanisms. The study identifies conservation agriculture, strengthened Farmer Producer Organizations, and convergence of credit, insurance, and market support as critical pathways for stabilizing farm incomes and reducing vulnerability. It argues that fragmented and short-term interventions are insufficient and emphasizes the need for region-specific, livelihood-centered strategies to address agrarian distress and farmer suicides. The paper contributes policy-relevant insights for sustainable agricultural development in India.
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