According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 10,546 individuals in the farming sector died by suicide in 2024, reflecting a 2% decrease from 2023. This figure includes 4,633 farmers and 5,913 agricultural laborers, constituting 6.2% of the total suicide victims in India, which numbered 170,746. The decline marks the second consecutive year of reduced suicides in this sector, following a previous drop of over 4% in 2023 compared to 2022.

Maharashtra reported the highest number of suicides at 3,824, followed by Karnataka with 2,971, and Madhya Pradesh with 835. The NCRB noted that higher suicide rates in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka correlate with regions where cash crops, such as cotton and sugarcane, are extensively cultivated. Factors such as crop failures and low yields often lead farmers to seek loans from moneylenders, exacerbating their financial distress.

The report emphasizes that while it records the profession of individuals who died by suicide, it does not establish any causal links. It also highlights that several states, including Arunachal Pradesh and Goa, reported zero suicides in the farming sector for 2024. The marginal decline in suicide rates may be attributed to government initiatives like crop insurance and income support.