Farmer commits suicide over crop loss and debt in Khandwa:Crops were getting spoiled continuously; children’s education also got interrupted due to financial hardship

In Khandwa, a farmer tragically ended his life by consuming poison in his field due to financial stress and non-payment of compensation for crop damage. The incident occurred in Diwal village, Pandhana region. Madan Kumrawat (40) had been missing since Tuesday evening, and his body was found near a well in his field on Wednesday morning. Local MLA Chhaya More reached the spot after receiving information. Initial police investigations indicate that financial distress was the key reason behind the suicide. Soybean crop completely ruined Family members stated that this year’s soybean crop was destroyed. The produce was so poor that they could not even bring a single grain home and had to feed it to cattle in the field. Madan was deeply distressed by the loss and had debts from society, moneylenders, and relatives. Crops had been damaged due to excessive rainfall. The family mentioned that this was not the first year of crop failure. For four consecutive years, crops had suffered losses, causing mounting debt. This year, there had been hope for a good harvest, but first a drought hit, followed by heavy rainfall that damaged the crops further. Land holdings and loss Madan Kumrawat owned one hectare of land where maize was sown. Additionally, he managed 8 acres inherited from his father and brothers, planted with soybeans. Family members said he could not bear the loss of the soybean crop. Madan’s family includes a wife, a son, and a daughter, aged 18–19. Due to financial hardship, both children had dropped out of school. The son had been living with his maternal uncle in Rustampur but had returned home this month. The family stated that Madan had debts amounting to around ₹2 lakh. Although crop damage surveys were conducted in the area, he had not received any relief or compensation. Farmers protest at Collectorate Meanwhile, farmers in Khandwa, under the banner of the United Farmers’ Organisation, have started a protest at the Collectorate. They set up tents and arrived with utensils, stoves, and rations, announcing an indefinite protest. The farmers highlighted that the government had failed to conduct proper surveys. Only 490 farmers in the district were declared eligible for relief, receiving between ₹1,000 and ₹4,000. However, farmers suffered losses of around ₹40,000 per acre for soybean cultivation, while the cost of cultivation alone was between ₹20,000–25,000 per acre.