Political economy of agricultural distress and farmers suicides in Maharashtra
The present paper attempts to evaluate the economic conditions of the farm households of Yavatmal district of Vidarbha region. The district has reported an increasing number of suicides during the period of Jan. to Dec. 2011.This is in a striking contrast with other districts of Vidarbha in which suicide rates have been declining. The main thrust of the study is on ascertaining whether these farm suicides have taken place mainly due to the rural and agricultural credit problems. The paper also attempts to assess the relative significance of the institutional and private farm credit in the agricultural indebtedness of the district and reasons for the same.