A 65-year-old debt-ridden farmer allegedly committed suicide by lighting up his own pyre at his farm in Maharashtra's Nanded district.

According to a police official, the deceased, identified as Potanna Ramalu Bolpilwad, was apparently depressed as he was unable to repay loans, which he had borrowed from banks and cooperative societies, due to crop failure.

The farmer had also filled up the online form for waiver of his farm loans under a state government scheme, but his name did not figure in the list of beneficiaries.

On Friday evening, Bolpilwad went to his farm at Turati village near Umri area, 575 km from Mumbai, built a pyre in his field and set it afire, killing himself.

As he did not return home the next day, his son, Mahadu Bolpilwad, went to the farm looking for his father, following which the whole incident came to light, the police official added.

A case of accidental death has been registered at the Umri Police Station and further probe is underway.

(With PTI inputs)