In central India's Vidarbha region, irregular weather patterns resulting from climate change are causing crops to fail, leaving farmers heavily indebted. So many have resorted to suicide that the region has become known as the "graveyard of farmers."
The evolution of income in India from 2014–19 is analysed, and it is found that the lower end of the income distribution has experienced significant losses the bottom ventile shows not only a decline in income share of ~41% but also a negative real average income growth of -5.5% per annum. Further investigating the composition of this part of the distribution using rural and
The article is based on a primary survey carried out to ascertain the magnitude and determinants of deaths of farmers by suicide in six districts of Punjab. It recommends the provision of financial compensation to victim families, waiving of debt, and strengthening of public healthcare and education system as the main policy measures for addressing this tragic phenomenon.