BENGALURU: Karnataka continues to be at the center of a growing agrarian crisis, ranking second in India for the highest number of farmer suicides. Despite being one of the most progressive states in the country, with remarkable achievements in IT, biotechnology, and science, Karnataka’s rural heartland is grappling with a tragic and persistent challenge: the rising number of farmer deaths by suicide. State government statistics indicate a slight decrease in numbers over the past three years, but critics argue that these figures mask deeper systemic failures and ongoing neglect.
According to data provided by the Agriculture Department, a total of 2,809 farmers have taken their lives from 2023-24 to November 2025-26. In 2023-24 alone, 1,254 farmers committed suicide, with 1,090 cases deemed eligible for state compensation of ₹5 lakh, while 164 cases were rejected due to personal motives or other reasons. In 2024-25, 1,178 suicides were reported, with 1,022 eligible for compensation and 156 rejected. In the current financial year, till November 2025-26, 377 suicides have been reported, of which 331 are considered eligible for compensation and 46 rejected.
The districts most affected include Haveri, which has recorded 297 suicides over the last two and a half years, followed by Belgaum (260), Kalaburagi (234), Dharwad (195), Mysore (190), Bidar (159), Hassan (118), and Mandya (115). These numbers starkly reveal that the burden of agrarian distress is disproportionately concentrated in Karnataka’s rural regions, where farmers face multiple challenges ranging from erratic rainfall and pest attacks to fluctuating crop prices and mounting debts.
Adding to the tragedy is the persistent delay in distributing compensation. The Agriculture Department has admitted that technical issues in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system are responsible for delays in delivering the ₹5 lakh compensation to the families of deceased farmers. In 2023-24, approximately ₹54 crore was disbursed to 1,081 eligible families. In 2024-25, ₹44.8 crore reached 896 families, while 121 cases remained pending. For the current year, only ₹9.65 crore has been distributed to 193 families, with 112 cases still under review. This delay has sparked criticism from activists and opposition parties, who argue that government apathy is deepening the suffering of already vulnerable families.
Civil society organizations and farmer advocacy groups have expressed outrage, arguing that the state’s political priorities are misaligned with the urgent needs of its agricultural community. “These are lives lost due to systemic failures. While the government highlights urban development and technological progress, farmers continue to die, and their families wait months, sometimes years, for compensation that could provide some relief,” said an agriculture analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The government’s piecemeal approach, focusing on relief after the fact rather than preventive measures, has drawn sharp criticism. Experts argue that unless proactive steps are taken—such as comprehensive crop insurance schemes, timely loan waivers, better access to credit, mental health support, and prompt compensation—Karnataka’s farmer suicide crisis will persist.
Opposition leaders have also weighed in, accusing the state government of political indifference. “This is not just a social tragedy; it is a failure of governance,” said a BJP spokesperson. “Karnataka cannot continue to boast about technological progress while ignoring the farmers who feed the state. The government must act decisively to prevent these suicides, ensure timely compensation, and create sustainable solutions for the agrarian community.”
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