VISHVESH SHRIVASTAV C-32

FARMER SUICIDES IN INDIA

Numerous farmer suicide cases are reported each
year in India. There are a lot of factors that force
farmers to take this stern step. Frequent droughts,
floods, economic crises, debt, health issues, family
responsibilities, changes in the government policies,
alcohol addiction, low produce prices and poor
irrigation facilities are among some of the common
factors that contribute to farmer suicides in India.
Here is a detailed look at the farmer suicide statistical
data and the factors that lead to this issue.

Farmer Suicides: Statistical Data

Statistics reveal that farmer suicides in India account

for 11.2% of all the suicides. Over the period of 10
years, from 2005 to 2015, the farmer suicide rate in
the country has ranged between 1.4 and 1.8 per
100,000 total population. The year 2004 saw the
highest number of farmer suicides in India. As many
as 18,241 farmers committed suicide during this year.
In 2010, the National Crime Records Bureau of India
reported a total of 135, 599 suicides in the country
out of which 15,963 were farmer suicides. In 2011, a
total of 135,585 suicide cases were reported in the
country out of which 14,207 were farmers. 11.2% of
the total suicide cases in the year 2012 were farmers
a quarter of which were from the state of
Maharashtra. In 2014, there were 5,650 farmer
suicide cases. Farmer suicide rate is higher in the
states of Maharashtra, Pondicherry and Kerala.

Farmer Suicides Global Statistics

The cases of farmer suicides have not only been

reported in India, the problem is global. Farmers in
various countries including England, Canada,
Australia, Sri Lanka and USA have also been found to
be under immense stress due to problems similar to
that in India and give in to suicide unable to cope up
with the pressure. In countries such as US and UK also
the rate of farmer suicides is higher than that of
people in other professions.
Factors Responsible for Farmer Suicides

Here is a look at some of the major causes of farmer

suicides in India:

Drought
Inadequate rainfall is one of the main reasons for crop
failure. The regions that face frequent drought like
situation see a major decline in the crop yields. The
cases of farmer suicides reported in such areas are
higher.

Floods
As much harm as droughts cause to the crops, floods
impact them equally badly. Farms are eroded and
crops get damaged due to heavy rainfall.

High Debts
Famers usually face difficulty raising money to
cultivate land and often take heavy debts for this
purpose. Inability to pay these debts is another
leading cause of farmer suicides.

Government Policies
Changes in the macro-economic policy of Government
of India that is known to favour liberalisation,
privatisation and globalisation is also said to be a
cause of farmer suicides. However, the point is
debatable.

Genetically Modified Crops

It has been claimed that genetically modified crops
such as Bt cotton are also a cause of farmer suicides.
This is because the Bt cotton seeds cost nearly twice
as much as the ordinary seeds. The farmers are forced
to take high loans from private moneylenders to grow
these crops and the latter force them to sell the
cotton to them at a price much lower than the market
rate and this leads to increased debt and economic
crises among farmers.
Family Pressure
The inability to meet the expenses and demands of
the family causes mental stress and unable to cope up
with it many farmers give in to suicide.

Conclusion

Though the government has started taking initiatives

to help the farmers in distress, however, the cases of
farmer suicides in India do not seem to come down.
The government needs to focus on farmers income
and productivity to ensure their prosperity rather
than merely focusing on loan relief or waivers.