Farmer suicide figures in Maharashtra worrying; Centre should come up with policy, says Sharad Pawar | Pune News
NEW DELHI: Sharad Pawar, the NCP (SP) president, voiced his apprehension on Saturday regarding farmer suicides in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, urging the Centre to formulate supportive policies for agriculturists.
His remarks followed the state relief and rehabilitation department’s data indicating 2,635 farmer deaths by suicide in Maharashtra in 2024.
“The information which has come from Marathwada and Vidarbha is worrying. We will collect accurate data from different locations. The Centre should prepare a policy to help farmers,” he stated whilst in Baramati.
Addressing queries about NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil potentially joining the Ajit Pawar-led faction, the veteran leader referenced Patil’s previous media statement.
Patil, who serves as NCP (SP)’s state president, had previously made ambiguous remarks about his future, leading to speculation about his possible departure.
At a Baramati event on Friday, Patil met with the NCP (SP) chief and subsequently clarified that he wasn’t discontented, stating his earlier comments had been misinterpreted.
The former Union agriculture minister discussed agricultural advancement, noting that artificial intelligence (AI) would soon be implemented in sugarcane cultivation.
“The AI technology can be used to boost the quality of sugarcane. Many sugar factories will take part in the AI farming process. A meeting is scheduled later in the day with some officials of sugar factories. A revolutionary decision will be made soon, and the use of AI in farming will begin soon,” he elaborated.
Regarding Beed, recently in headlines for sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh’s murder, Pawar noted its previous peaceful reputation.
“The situation in Beed was never like this. It was once a peaceful district. As many as six people from my party were elected from Beed. However, some of them misused their power, and we are witnessing the consequences,” he concluded.
