2 Nashik onion farmers end lives in a week

Many farmers across Maharashtra have not been getting proper price for their produce and videos of pomegranates and other fruits being destroyed by the frustrated farmers have gone viral. In Nashik, two onion farmers have committed suicides.

Tatyabhau Khairnar, an onion farmer from Bhadane village in Baglan taluka hanged himself on December 6. Khairnar is survived by his mother, wife and two daughters.

Khairnar owned 2.25 acres farmland and had a debt of `12 lakh. In the year 2017, Khairnar is said to have repaid a loan of `6 lakh, which he had taken from HDFC bank. After that Khairnar required more money but could not get a bank loan easily and was forced to borrow it from few people.

Khairnar could repay the previous loan because last year there was a heavy rainfall and got good produce. This year due to the drought condition, the crop failed and Khairnar could not get a fair price for his produce.

Meanwhile, early this week, another onion farmer from the same taluka, Manoj Dhongde (33) consumed poison and ended his life. The suicide was confirmed by local authorities.

Since January, 104 farmers in Nashik have committed suicide.