Award-winning farmer dies in Kannur; suicide suspected

An award-winning husbandman from Cherupuzha successful Kannur territory of Kerala died connected Sunday (Februaty 15, 2026) successful an alleged termination aft reportedly consuming pesticide.

Elias Ambatt, a autochthonal of Idavarambu successful Kannur, had been undergoing attraction for the past fewer days aft helium was recovered unconscious connected his farm. According to relatives and section residents, Mr. Ambatt had allegedly consumed pesticide 4 days agone and was instantly rushed to hospital. Despite intensive treatment, his beingness could not beryllium saved.

Mr. Ambatt was known for cultivating vegetables and bananas connected leased land, often taking implicit fallow plots and converting them into productive farms. He had won the Chief Minister’s grant for champion rootlike husbandman and was wide regarded arsenic a exemplary cultivator successful the hilly village.

Delay successful subsidy

Family members said helium had been facing terrible fiscal distress pursuing mediocre harvests successful caller seasons. He had reportedly taken loans from banks and individuals to prolong cultivation, but struggled with repayment. Delays successful receiving authorities subsidies further compounded his difficulties, they alleged.

Relatives claimed that a subsidy amounting to ₹1.14 lakh was sanctioned lone aft helium was admitted to the infirmary and said timely disbursal could person eased his fiscal burden. They besides alleged that definite eligible benefits for farmers had not reached him.

Locals described Mr. Ambatt arsenic a hard-working husbandman who acceptable an illustration by bringing uncultivated onshore nether farming. His decease has sent shockwaves crossed farming assemblage successful Cherupuzha.

The incidental comes astatine a clip erstwhile the State authorities has been highlighting its payment measures for farmers. With the Assembly elections approaching, his decease is apt to trigger governmental statement arsenic absorption parties are expected to question the effectiveness of cultivation enactment strategy successful the State.

(Suicide prevention helpline: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056)