A total of 479 farmer suicides were reported in Maharashtra in March and April this year, state relief and rehabilitation minister Makrand Patil said in the assembly on Friday, reported news agency PTI.

In a written reply during Question Hour, he said 250 farmer suicides were reported in March in Marathwada and Vidarbha, while 229 suicides were reported statewide in April, reported PTI.

Of the 250 cases in March, 102 were found to be eligible for financial aid as per government rules, with amounts being disbursed in 77 cases.