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Aurangabad: As many as 34 farmer suicides have been reported in Marathwada in past eight days, as stated in a government report. The same has accelerated the death toll of farmers of the region to 580 in between 1st January to 15th August.
Although, the precise reasons for death are still unclear, financial pressure due to below average rainfall this year is expected to be the cause. Data compiled by the Aurangabad Divisional Commissioner showed that 34 farmers ended their lives in eight districts of Marathwada in the last eight days, though the cause has not been ascertained in every case yet. Maximum of the registered deaths have been reported in Beed district of Marthwada taking the toll to as high as 107.
It also mentioned that kharif crops in the region are in trouble because of lack of rains. Farmers in Marathwada fear crop losses due to a dry spell of the last fortnight. Met weather officials had predicted good showers after August 15, but the rainfall in the last two days has been scattered.
Nearly 200 talukas of the 355 in the state received less than 75% of the total projected rainfall this monsoon, increasing farmer woes and holding out the threat of crop failure.
