Maharashtra Govt Sets Up State-Level Task Force To Prevent Farmer Suicides
Maharashtra Govt Sets Up State-Level Task Force To Prevent Farmer Suicides Pune, February 18, 2026: In a significant policy move, the Maharashtra government has decided to establish a state-level task force under the Agriculture Department to prevent farmer suicides and address the growing mental, social and economic challenges faced by farmers, particularly in the context of climate change–related disasters. With this initiative, Maharashtra has become the first state in India to constitute such a dedicated task force. Agricultural policy expert and international agricultural sociologist Dr Vinayak Hegana, who has been working in the field of farmers’ mental health for the past decade, has been appointed as a special member of the task force. According to a government circular issued by Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare, the task force will be chaired by Rafiq Naikwadi, Director of Extension and Training. Other official members include Sunil Borkar, Uday Deshmukh, Ganesh Ghorpade, Jeevan Bunde, Nandkishor Nainawad, Satyajit Shitole and Sonali Shilkar, while Srushti Doijad will serve as a non-official member. The task force will focus on: Studying and researching the economic, social and psychological causes behind farmer suicides Assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture and recommending corrective measures Proposing short-term and long-term policy interventions Developing an integrated intervention model based on agricultural technology, financial support, social backing and mental health services Designing special action programmes for disaster preparedness, emergency response during crises and post-disaster rehabilitation Preparing action plans for implementation at divisional and district levels Coordinating with government, semi-government and voluntary organisations Dr Hegana is known as the architect of the “Pyramid Model” developed for farmers’ mental health support. Through initiatives such as “Shivar Sansad” and “Shivar Helpline,” he has helped prevent 2,498 farmers from taking their own lives. He has also worked extensively to promote economic self-reliance among women from families affected by farmer suicides. Recently, Dr Hegana was awarded an honorary doctorate in public health by Dunstor Business School, Switzerland, becoming the first agricultural graduate researcher in India to receive the distinction. He has also been honoured with the prestigious Chevening Global Award by the British government. Speaking about his appointment, Dr Hegana said the responsibility offers an important opportunity to work at a policy level for farmers’ mental health under the guidance of Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare. He added that the initiative could help build a sustainable and effective model for farmers based on scientific and humane principles. Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare said farmer suicides should not be viewed merely as an issue of post-tragedy compensation. He emphasised the need to strengthen farmers through better coordination among agricultural schemes and collaboration with other departments to boost both production and income. The task force, he said, has been created to ensure a more effective and integrated approach. Rafiq Naikwadi, Director of Extension and Training, noted that while several committees in the past have studied farmer suicides and suggested measures, the new task force will review earlier recommendations and implement broader, updated strategies suited to changing circumstances. Experts believe the formation of the state-level task force will accelerate coordinated, scientific and humane interventions aimed at preventing farmer suicides across Maharashtra.
Pune, February 18, 2026: In a significant policy move, the Maharashtra government has decided to establish a state-level task force under the Agriculture Department to prevent farmer suicides and address the growing mental, social and economic challenges faced by farmers, particularly in the context of climate change–related disasters. With this initiative, Maharashtra has become the first state in India to constitute such a dedicated task force.
Agricultural policy expert and international agricultural sociologist Dr Vinayak Hegana, who has been working in the field of farmers’ mental health for the past decade, has been appointed as a special member of the task force.
According to a government circular issued by Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare, the task force will be chaired by Rafiq Naikwadi, Director of Extension and Training. Other official members include Sunil Borkar, Uday Deshmukh, Ganesh Ghorpade, Jeevan Bunde, Nandkishor Nainawad, Satyajit Shitole and Sonali Shilkar, while Srushti Doijad will serve as a non-official member.
The task force will focus on:
- Studying and researching the economic, social and psychological causes behind farmer suicides
- Assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture and recommending corrective measures
- Proposing short-term and long-term policy interventions
- Developing an integrated intervention model based on agricultural technology, financial support, social backing and mental health services
- Designing special action programmes for disaster preparedness, emergency response during crises and post-disaster rehabilitation
- Preparing action plans for implementation at divisional and district levels
- Coordinating with government, semi-government and voluntary organisations
Dr Hegana is known as the architect of the “Pyramid Model” developed for farmers’ mental health support. Through initiatives such as “Shivar Sansad” and “Shivar Helpline,” he has helped prevent 2,498 farmers from taking their own lives. He has also worked extensively to promote economic self-reliance among women from families affected by farmer suicides.
Recently, Dr Hegana was awarded an honorary doctorate in public health by Dunstor Business School, Switzerland, becoming the first agricultural graduate researcher in India to receive the distinction. He has also been honoured with the prestigious Chevening Global Award by the British government.
Speaking about his appointment, Dr Hegana said the responsibility offers an important opportunity to work at a policy level for farmers’ mental health under the guidance of Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare. He added that the initiative could help build a sustainable and effective model for farmers based on scientific and humane principles.
Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare said farmer suicides should not be viewed merely as an issue of post-tragedy compensation. He emphasised the need to strengthen farmers through better coordination among agricultural schemes and collaboration with other departments to boost both production and income. The task force, he said, has been created to ensure a more effective and integrated approach.
Rafiq Naikwadi, Director of Extension and Training, noted that while several committees in the past have studied farmer suicides and suggested measures, the new task force will review earlier recommendations and implement broader, updated strategies suited to changing circumstances.
Experts believe the formation of the state-level task force will accelerate coordinated, scientific and humane interventions aimed at preventing farmer suicides across Maharashtra.
