Despite West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement that her government would buy the potato required for social security schemes from the farmers hit by falling prices, yet another potato farmer allegedly committed suicide in Bardhaman district after sustaining heavy losses.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) alleged that with the latest case, at least four potato farmers had committed suicide in the State in the last one-and-a-half months. Speaking to The Hindu, State’s Agriculture Minister Purnendu Basu, however, said he was not unaware of any potato farmer committing suicide due to losses. “Being a potato farmer is not the only reason behind someone committing suicide,” he said.
On Friday, potato farmer Chandan Paul (40) died after he consumed pesticide in the Memari area of Bardhaman district, following heavy losses. According to the district CPI(M) leaders, Paul was under severe pressure as he had incurred a debt of nearly ₹50,000 for cultivating potato on 2.80 acres of land.
Last week, another potato farmer, Swapan Hajra (45), allegedly committed suicide in the Anandapur area of Paschim Medinipur district’s Keshpur block .
Two other farmers committed suicide in Paschim Medinipur district.
Potato farmers are facing severe financial crisis this year as its prices have fallen due to high production.
