Karnataka: Two farmers tragically died by suicide in separate incidents in Kalaburagi and Raichur districts on Thursday, reportedly due to overwhelming debts exacerbated by crop failures caused by heavy rains.
In the first incident, a 45-year-old farmer from Chincholi taluk in Kalaburagi allegedly set himself on fire after facing mounting financial pressures. He had borrowed ₹3 lakh from banks and private lenders to cultivate tur dal (pigeon pea), but heavy rains destroyed his crops. Family members reported that he received a notice from the bank, intensifying his despair. “He was under immense pressure from bank officials and felt hopeless about repaying his loans,” said a fellow farmer from the village. The local police have registered an unnatural death case in connection with the incident.
In a similar case, a 42-year-old farmer in Raichur district reportedly consumed poison on Wednesday. He had worked tirelessly on four acres of cotton, but excessive moisture from continuous rains ruined his crop, leading to significant financial loss. On the day of the incident, he left home, claiming he was going to check on his farm, but instead, he took poison. He was rushed to the Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital, where he succumbed to the poison the following day. The farmer had taken a ₹2 lakh loan and was expecting a profitable harvest. The police confirmed an unnatural death case has been filed following his passing.
These tragic incidents highlight the severe impact of climate change and financial stress on farmers in Karnataka, underscoring the urgent need for support systems to assist those facing agricultural losses.
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