Maharashtra has created a special task force to fight farmers' distress caused by climate change and prevent suicides. The 10-member committee started on February 16, 2026, with eight government officials and two experts. Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare said the task force will study social, economic, psychological, and farming factors that lead to suicides. The goal is to find practical solutions, bring current suicide prevention schemes together, and add mental health support. They will also prepare emergency plans and link local actions to regional strategies. Mr. Mandhare highlighted a 2019 experiment in Nashik that lowered suicides significantly. He said, "The focus should not be on compensation after suicides, but on prevention of suicides and increasing the income of the farmers." The committee members include Rafiq Naikwadi, Sunil Borkar, Uday Deshmukh, Ganesh Ghorpade, Jeevan Bunde, Nandkishor Nainwad, Satyajeet Shitole, Vinayak Hegana, Srushti Doijad, and Sonali Shilkar. So far, the task force reviewed past suggestions and found more work needed in improving loans, irrigation, minimum support prices, crop rotation, social security, seed quality, and insurance. Maharashtra is the worst-hit state, with 781 farmers committing suicide in the first nine months of 2025. Farmers in distress can call the Tele MANAS helpline at 14416.