With drought-like situation visible in paddy fields across western Odisha districts, three farmers have allegedly committed suicide in Sambalpur, Bolangir and Bargarh districts.
Within last two months, nine farmers’ suicide incidents have been reported from different western Odisha districts.
Sanatan Mirdha, 45-year-old farmer, at Jharjhari village in Jujumara block of Sambalpur had committed suicide by hanging himself on Friday evening after he reportedly failed to arrange irrigation pump for his land. According to his wife, Mirdhan, anticipating a total crop loss, he committed suicide.
In a similar incident, Bhakta Dharua in Patnagarh block of Bolangir district ended his life by hanging himself from a tree when he apprehended that he would not be able repay bank loan he had taken to purchase irrigation pump. Before committing suicide, he was under acute mental stress, said villagers.
Another farmer’s suicide was reported from Paikmal area of Bargarh district. Hiralal Sahoo, 50-year-old, who had taken loan of about Rs.80,000 from banks as well as private sources, committed suicide anticipating crop loss.
“Two farmers had committed suicide on October 3 in Paikmal area. During September and October, nine farmers have already committed suicide,” said Saroj Mohanty of Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangthan Samannaya Cell.
Mr. Mohanty said: “Farmers had invested heavily in this year’s paddy crop. But prolonged dry spell dashed all their hopes. In irrigated areas, pest attacks damaged prospects of a good yield. The State government must come out with some sort of assurance to put a brake on trend of farmer’s suicide.”
Raising a similar demand, BJP president K. V. Singhdeo, who visited Bhakta Dharua’s family, said: “The State government must declare drought in western Odisha without making any delay and waive agriculture loans. Besides, massive incentives should be declared for next Rabi crop.”
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy expressing his concern over reported farmers’ suicides, ordered an inquiry by the District Collector to know cause of deaths and district wings of Agriculture department had been separately directed to submit situation prevailing in that area.
