The Maharashtra government has reported 257 suicides by farmers in the State between January and March this year resulting from the agrarian crisis.
“The government of Maharashtra has reported that 257 farmers have committed suicide in the State due to agrarian reasons during the period January to March 2015,” Minister of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kundaria said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
As many as 114 cases of suicides were reported from the Aurangabad region, followed by Amrawati (102), Nagpur (30) and Nashik (nine) the data showed.
Replying to a separate query, Mr. Kundaria said that Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan governments had reported three, five and one cases of farmer suicides respectively, due to the recent untimely rains and hailstorm.
He said agriculture being a State subject, States take necessary measures for development of the farm sector with the Central government supplementing the efforts through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support.
“The Centre has taken several steps to revitalise the agriculture sector and improve the condition of farming community on sustainable basis by increasing investment, improving farm practices, rural infrastructure and delivery of credit, technology and other inputs, extension and marketing among others,’’ he said.
Compensation In a reply to a question he said the amount of compensation to a farmer who commits suicide was decided by the State government. The Maharashtra government has reported that it provides a compensation of Rs.1 lakh to the family of those farmers who end their lives due to crop failure, debt and inability to repay loan.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) member Ritabrata Banerjee disputed the government’s reply on his question regarding suicide by potato growers in West Bengal. He said since March 21 potato growers had committed suicide in the State due to the steep fall in the price of potato. This had led the state to give incentives to growers such as market intervention and transport and export subsidy.
Dying farmers, dying agriculture
Woes continue
- ›April 23, 2015>Body of farmer found on Alwar rail track
- ›April 22, 2015>Horror of farm suicide visits Delhi
- ›April 13, 2015>Drought, debt driving farmers to suicide
- ›April 6, 2015>Two farmers commit suicide
- ›April 5, 2015>One more farmer commits suicide in West Bengal
- ›March 21, 2015>Another potato farmer commits suicide
- ›Jan 28, 2015>Farmer attempts suicide in Nashik court premises, held
- ›Dec 2 2014>Unable to repay loan, farmer commits suicide
- ›Dec 1 2014>Five farmers end life in three days
- ›Nov 1, 2014>Distressed farmer commits suicide in Uttar Pradesh
- ›Sept 21, 2014>Uttar Pradesh’s sugar crisis leading to suicides
- ›June 13, 2014>Farmer jumps to death from 5th Floor of hospital
- ›June 10, 2014>559 farmer suicides in Maharashtra in four months
- ›Nov 30, 2013>Farmer commits suicide in U.P.
- ›Sept 11, 2013> Adilabad cotton farmers’ future hangs in balance
- ›July 13, 2013>Farmer commits suicide in Joint Collector’s office
>Protecting the small farmer
Reviving the Farm Income Insurance Scheme could be the best tool for small and marginal farmers to fight falling prices in an increasingly globalised marketplace, says Ananth Gudipati.
>Over 3,000 farmer suicides in the last 3 years
This year, the Marathwada region alone has seen over 200 farmer suicides in just three months.