Question

In the last few years, you might have taken note, in your neighbourhood if you are living in rural areas or read in the newspapers or seen on TV, of farmers committing suicides. Many such farmers had borrowed money for farming and other purposes. It was found that when they were unable to pay back due to crop failure, insufficient income and employment opportunities, they took such steps. Collect information relating to such cases and discuss in the classroom.

Answer 1

In recent years, many cases of farmer suicides have been reported in different parts of India. In several cases, farmers had borrowed money for cultivation and other needs but were unable to repay their loans. The possible reasons include:

• Crop failure due to drought, floods, pests or diseases.
• Low prices received for agricultural produce.
• High cost of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other inputs.
• Heavy dependence on loans and rising debt.
• Insufficient income from farming.
• Lack of irrigation and other basic facilities.
• Limited employment opportunities outside agriculture.
• Dependence on private moneylenders charging high interest.
• Sudden family or medical expenses.

To reduce this distress, farmers need affordable institutional credit, crop insurance, better irrigation, fair prices, lower input costs, improved marketing facilities, and additional employment opportunities. These measures can reduce indebtedness and improve the economic security of farming families.