NCRB Data on Farmer Suicides

December 5, 2023

The year 2022 witnessed a distressing surge in farmer suicides across India, according to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), released on December 4, 2023. The grim statistics reveal a 3.7% increase in such cases, with 11,290 reported deaths, compared to 10,281 in 2021 and a 5.7% increase from 2020 figures.

Disturbing Trends

The data underscores a troubling trend, with at least one farmer taking their own life every hour in 2022. This distressing pattern has been on the rise since 2019, when NCRB recorded 10,281 farmer suicides. The challenging agricultural conditions in 2022, marked by droughts, untimely rainfall, and other adversities, exacerbated the struggles faced by farmers.

Agricultural Laborers’ Plight

A noteworthy revelation from the NCRB data is that suicides among agricultural laborers, those reliant on daily wages from farming activities, surpassed those among farmers and cultivators. Out of the 11,290 individuals engaged in farming who died by suicide, 53% (6,083) were agricultural laborers. This shift is significant, reflecting the increasing dependence of average agricultural households on wages rather than crop production for income.

Income Disparities

The National Sample Survey conducted in 2021 highlighted a shift in income sources for farming households. The highest income, Rs 4,063, came from wages for agricultural labor, followed by livestock, while cultivation’s contribution declined from 48% in 2013 to 38% in 2019. Overall, farmers’ incomes have seen minimal growth, with the 2019 monthly income pegged at Rs 10,218, compared to Rs 6,426 in 2012-13.

Regional Disparities

Maharashtra reported the highest number of farmer suicides (4,248), contributing to 38% of all cases in India. Karnataka (2,392), Andhra Pradesh (917), Tamil Nadu (728), and Madhya Pradesh (641) followed. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest increase in suicides, rising by 42.13% compared to 2021. Chhattisgarh also saw a significant increase of 31.65%, while Andhra Pradesh reported a 16% decrease.

Climate Change Impact

The data suggests a concerning link between climate change and farmer suicides. Droughts and climate-related disasters have become more frequent, impacting crop yields. A paper from May 2023 highlighted a correlation between farmer suicides and rainfall deficits, reinforcing the vulnerability of India’s agricultural workforce to climate-related challenges.

Call for Action

The distressing rise in farmer suicides calls for urgent action. The study emphasizes the role of social protection programs like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in mitigating climate vulnerability for economies heavily dependent on agriculture or seasonal work.

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