535 Rajasthan farmers die of pesticide exposure in 2 years

JAIPUR: The numbers are stark — 535 dead farmers in just two years, Rs 5.1 crore in compensation and 189 substandard pesticide samples. Together, records tabled in Rajasthan assembly sketch a lethal underside of chemical-intensive farming and cast a harsh spotlight on safety failures and weak enforcement.

The farmers died due to pesticide exposure while working in the fields between Jan 2024 and Jan 2026, according to agriculture department data. Bikaner recorded the highest toll at 57 deaths, followed by Churu (56), Hanumangarh (42) and Jhalawar (42). Jodhpur reported 38 deaths; Sriganganagar and Beawar 31 each.

During the period, Rs 5.1 crore was paid as compensation to affected the families by the state govt. However, the payouts varied sharply across districts and exposed gaps between the deaths reported and the claims cleared.

Bikaner received Rs 92 lakh in compensation, Churu Rs 72 lakh, Jodhpur Rs 58 lakh and Hanumangarh Rs 48 lakh. Sriganganagar received Rs 18 lakh. Jhalawar, despite reporting 42 deaths, also received only Rs 18 lakh. Deeg reported eight deaths but no compensation, while Kota reported 11 deaths and received Rs 2 lakh.

Officials attributed disparities to claim verification and approval processes. Agriculture department records did not specify the exact cause of each death. Data covered fatalities linked to agricultural work involving pesticide use and included only cases reported and verified by authorities.

“If hundreds of farmers are dying while carrying out routine agricultural work, govt cannot wash its hands of responsibility by merely paying compensation. We need accountability, stricter regulation of pesticides, and a comprehensive safety programme for farmers across Rajasthan,” Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi said

The death count surfaced alongside another troubling set of numbers from the assembly: 189 pesticide samples failed quality tests over the same two-year period. Of 5,570 pesticide samples collected across Rajasthan, 5,521 were analysed. While 5,332 met prescribed standards, 189 were found substandard. Authorities issued 282 notices, filed 14 court cases, suspended 14 licences and cancelled 22 licences following quality checks.

Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh topped the list of substandard pesticide samples at 17 each, followed by Bikaner (13), Kota (10) and Bhilwara (9). Sriganganagar also recorded the highest number of notices at 34, followed by Bikaner (20), Hanumangarh (19) and Churu (17). Legal action was launched in 14 cases, including five in Bikaner and three in Sriganganagar.

The figures paint a stark picture of pesticide risks in India. Heavy dependence on chemical pesticides has long been a pillar of high-yield farming, but experts have repeatedly warned that inadequate protective gear, unsafe handling practices, excessive spraying and poor-quality agrochemicals can turn fields into toxic workplaces.

Beyond human health risks, pesticide overuse has been linked to soil degradation, water contamination, biodiversity loss and declining populations of pollinators and beneficial insects, raising fresh questions about the sustainability of chemical-intensive agriculture.

Rajasthan agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena sought to play down the figures, saying data compiled from police stations by home department would be reviewed. He said govt promotes organic farming and safe pesticide use and would tighten measures to eliminate such deaths. Farmers are also being encouraged to dedicate 25% of their land to organic cultivation to reduce reliance on chemicals.