FARMERS SUICIDES

                                                                  FARMERS SUICIDES

INTRODUCTION

• In 2014 the national crime records bureau of india reported 5,650 farmers suicides. 

• The farmers suicide rate in India has ranged between 1.4 and 1.8 per 100,000 tatal population over a 10 year period through 2005.

• The number of suicides by farmers and farm labourers increased to 12,360 in 2014, against 11,772 in 2013.

• The high number of suicides shows that farmer suicide in India is a major issue which needs to be tackled immediately using the right methods.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

• 70% cut in the royalties that the local farms pay Monsanto for its cotton seeds.

• Pradhan mantri krishi sinchai yojana. 

- To improve irrigation in the country.

- Enable agriculture to become resistant to the vagaries of indian monsoon.

- Micro-irrigation projects (" Har khet ko pani")

- End to end irrigation solutions.

• Pradhan mantri fasal beema yojna (crop insurance for farmers).

• Relief to farmers in imput subsidy it 33% of their crop has been damaged.

• The imput subsidy given to distressed farmers will be enhanced by 50% of the existing amounts. 

• Soil health card : crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilizers required for the individual farms to help farmers to improve productivity through proper use of inputs.

SOME STEPS SUGGESTEDBY COURTS

• Settle all pending case's and reopen all old cases that were dealt with unsatisfactory.

• Include farmers and also tenant farmers in all government support schemes, and loan waiver schemes.

• Receive sustainable modes of agriculture and support agro-ecological agriculture.

• Stop prompting private money lenders and make low interest loans available through government owned banks.

WAY FORWARD

• Effective implementation of water water management techniques (irrigation and drip irrigation).

• Reduce dependence of agriculture on nature.

• Timely funds should be made available to needy farmers.

• Technical support to farmers to enhance agriculture productivity.

• Organic farming should be encouraged rather than chemical fertilizers.

• Community farming for farmers with small land holdings.

• Direct benefit transfer for subsidies.

• Effective provision of loans to farmers. So that exploitation by money lenders can be checked.

• Education and vocational trening to farmers and their families would be helpful in social and cultural awakening.