New Delhi: Government today told the Lok Sabha that number of suicides by farmers due to agriculture- related causes in Maharashtra was on the decline.

In respect of remaining states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, it is 'too early'to assess the impact of Centre's Rs 16978.69 crore rehabilitation package at the ground level as it was recently approved for implementation, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said during Question Hour.

"The emerging trend in respect of Maharashtra indicates that number of suicide (cases) by farmers due to agriculture- related causes is on decline," he said.

The package for mitigating distress of farmers in 31 suicide-prone districts involves Andhra Pradesh (Rs 9650.55 crore), Karnataka (Rs 2689.64 crore), Kerala (Rs 765.24 crore) and Maharashtra (Rs 3873.26 crore).

It aims at establishing a sustainable and viable farming and livelihood support system through debt relief to farmers, improved supply of institutional credit, crop centric approach to agriculture, assured irrigation facilities, watershed management, better extension and farming support services and subsidiary income opportunities through horticulture, livestock, dairying and fisheries.

Pawar said the package for six districts of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region was announced on July one this year.

"The total number of suicides by farmers in Vidarbha from July to October this year, as reported by the state government, was 542," he said.