Farmer suicides go up by 15 percent in Telangana
Farmer suicides in Telangana increased in 2025, with 285 deaths reported, highlighting ongoing agrarian distress. Data points to crop failure, rising lease costs and lack of support as key reasons, with tenant farmers being the most affected
Adilabad: Contrary to tall claims of the State government, Telangana saw a significant rise in suicides of farmers in 2025, suggesting a latent agrarian crisis.
The State government often rebuts criticism of Opposition parties over the plight of farmers by claiming that it is determined to address the challenges of the agrarian community and provide support. However, the ground reality of the agriculture sector presents a bitter picture. Statistics suggest that farmers were undergoing an unprecedented crisis, prompting distressed ones to continue to die by suicide in one or another corner of Telangana.
According to data provided by Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV), a Hyderabad-based voluntary organisation, 285 farmers died by suicide in 2025 as against 248 suicides reported in 2024, posting an increase of 15 percent. The State recorded 271 farmer suicides in 2023. The organisation gathered data on suicides by following daily newspapers and First Information Reports (FIRs) of the incidents.
Crop failure, rise in farm rents attributed to suicides of farmers
“Some of the major reasons for suicides of farmers are crop failure caused by unfavourable weather conditions, higher lease rates, failure of borewells, and unremunerative prices for produce. Successive governments have failed to support farmers reeling under a severe crisis,” B Kondal Reddy, RSV state committee member, told ‘Telangana Today’. He pointed out that a major portion of farmers who resort to the drastic step were tenant farmers.
“Our studies reveal that tenant farming accounted for thirty-six percent, while 80 percent of suicides were by tenant farmers. The surge in farm land rents is resulting in losses in agriculture for tenant farmers,” a member opined.
Distressed farmers advised to approach Kisan Mitra, Tele Manas
The organisation members regretted that crop insurance continues to remain a mirage for farmers. They advised farmers to contact the Kisan Mitra helpline 1800 120 3244 when they feel disheartened due to crop failure and need support. Agriculture officials also urged farmers to utilise the services of the Tele-Manas helpline 14416 if they undergo mental stress or any other distress due to challenges in farming.
Siddipet tops Telangana in suicides
Among 31 districts, Siddipet topped with 81 suicides, followed by Adilabad, which saw 78 farmer suicides in the last three years. Medak district stood in third place with 67 suicides, while Jayashankar Bhupalpally district recorded 60 suicides between 2023 and 2025. Mahabubabad, Karmnagar, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Nirmal and Khammam districts witnessed between 29 and 45 suicides.
