Mysuru: Karnataka reported 414 farmer suicides in the first nine months of the financial year 2025-26 (up to Dec 31, 2025), marking a sharp decline compared to the previous two financial years. Farmer organisations said deaths by suicides have dropped across the state. Agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, in reply to a question from Hanumantappa R Nirani during a recent legislative council session, revealed the state recorded 2,846 farmer suicides over the past two years and nine months. In 2023-24, Karnataka reported 1,254 farmer suicides, a figure that dropped marginally to 1,178 in 2024-25. Badagalapura Nagendra, president, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, confirmed the decline in deaths by suicides and attributed it to increased awareness and the govt’s guarantee schemes, especially Gruha Lakshmi, which he said could have eased financial pressure on small and marginal farmers. “Farmer families are the biggest beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme; Rs 24,000 per year is some relief for poor farmers,” he said. Under the scheme, women heads of families are paid Rs 2,000 a month. Besides, women are also eligible to travel free in state-run buses. The monsoon season has also been bountiful the past couple of years which may have also contributed to the decline in death by suicides. Of the 414 cases reported this financial year, compensation applications were rejected in 55 cases as authorities found that farm distress or crop loan issues were not the primary reasons for the suicides. District-wise data showed Mysuru recorded the highest number of cases this year, with 41 suicides. Of these, 10 compensation claims were rejected. Kalaburagi reported 40 cases, with four applications not considered for compensation. Belagavi stood third with 36 reported suicides, and two applications were rejected. Earlier this month, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) urged chief minister Siddaramaiah to press the Centre to meet key farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP, farm loan waivers, and climate compensation. A delegation led by convener Jagjit Singh Dallewal submitted a memorandum flagging agrarian distress and policy gaps.
