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Farmers’ Suicides in India

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Explore the issue of Farmers’ suicides in India, including Agricultural workers’ suicides and the rates of Farmer suicide rates India.

In India, agriculture is the main industry. Nearly 70% of the people in India is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, making it a country with a mostly agrarian economy. The vast majority of people in India still rely on agriculture for their living, despite the secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy expanding quickly. India is now self-sufficient in the production of food grains for everyday use thanks to the Green Revolution.

The farmer’s community must be given priority attention if the nation is to experience full economic development. The Indian economy is said to be supported by agriculture, which has been practiced there for centuries. Despite the fact that they provide the country with food, farmers’ living conditions are appalling. The agrarian crisis was among the worst catastrophes to strike our nation in the previous few decades.

It is concerning that Farmer suicide rates India are on the rise in India. Rising farmer suicides are attributed to unpredictable monsoons, unpaid loans, rising debt, poor agricultural procurement rates, low crop yields, and successive crop failures. While external variables, such as uneven rainfall, hailstorms, droughts, and floods, have a negative impact on crop production, internal issues, such as pricing rules and insufficient marketing facilities, cause post-yield losses.

The majority of them became bankrupt, and the pressure of their huge debt repayment and other family obligations drives them to commit suicide. The state with the most damage is Maharashtra.

Historical accounts of discontent, uprisings, and high mortality rates among Indian farmers, particularly those who grow cash crops, date back to the 19th century. Suicides caused by the same, though, were uncommon. In 2021, 5,563 farm laborers committed suicide, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) most recent statistics. From 2020 to 2019, there was a 9% increase in suicides, and a 29% increase from 2019. Of the 5,121 suicides by agricultural laborers there were 442 girls and 5,121 males in 2021. 

According to the study Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, Maharashtra reported 1,424 suicides, followed by Karnataka (999) and Andhra Pradesh (584). The data are available at a period when more farmers are working as farmers and the average agricultural household is more dependent on wages than on the farm. In the meantime, there has been a significant rise in the percentage of daily wagers among suicide deaths in the nation in 2021. 

Daily wage earners made up the largest profession-wise group of suicide victims in 2021, accounting for 25% of all suicides in the nation (42,004 suicides). The number of 42,004 suicides represents a significant increase from the 33,164 daily gambler suicide deaths recorded in 2020.

Reasons for Farmers’ Suicides in India

Issue Description
Natural Disasters Excessive rain, floods, droughts, and cyclones, often exacerbated by global warming and deforestation, lead to loss-making in agriculture. Marginal and small farmers, lacking alternative income sources, face insolvency and despair.
Water Level Fall Lack of irrigation infrastructure and systems to conserve rainwater results in failed irrigation projects, leaving farmers unable to benefit from good rainfall.
Low Productivity and Monsoon Uncertainty The unpredictable monsoon and uneven distribution of arable land affect agricultural output and livelihoods, pushing marginal farmers towards desperation.
Farmers’ Debt Due to Crop Failure The disparity between cultivation costs and the prices of produce makes agriculture unprofitable, leading to unsustainable debts and suicides among farmers.
Costly Modern Agriculture Methods Advances in agriculture, such as hybrid seeds and pesticides, are unaffordable for poor farmers, making farming economically unviable.
Reduced Agricultural Subsidies Reductions in subsidies and regulation of fertilizers increase input costs and decrease agricultural profitability, affecting the environment and soil health.
Insufficient Education Farmers’ inability to afford education for their children perpetuates a cycle of poverty and lack of awareness about government programs.
Lack of Transit Systems Poor transportation infrastructure leads to significant agricultural waste, hindering effective marketing and profitability.
Lack of Essential Infrastructure Inadequate infrastructure, such as power and clean drinking water, impacts farmers’ mental and physical health, leading to substance abuse and increased mortality.
Economic Policies of India Policies favoring urban consumers, such as price controls, reduce farmers’ profit margins, trapping them in debt cycles and negatively impacting their livelihoods.

Check: Differentiate between the farms in India and the USA

Government Responses to India’s Farmer Suicides

The following is a summary of some of the significant debt alleviation and debt cancellation programs announced by the government:

Program/Initiative Year Description
Relief Package 2006 Targeted at 31 districts in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka with high farmer suicide rates.
Agricultural Debt Relief and Waiver Program 2008 Benefited over 36 million farmers with a cost of 65000 crore rupees ($10 billion), writing off interest and part of the loan principal.
Package to Diversify Income Streams 2013 Introduced the Special Livestock Sector and Fisheries Package for farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala to diversify income sources.
Maharashtra Assistance Program 2010 Made it illegal for unlicensed moneylenders to demand loan repayment, introduced low-cost crop insurance, and other income sources like poultry, dairy, and sericulture. Allocated $10 million per district annually for community wedding celebrations under Samudaik Lagna.
Regional Projects Various Initiatives like the Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavlamban Mission in Maharashtra (2006) and a committee in Karnataka to investigate farmer suicides.
Central Government Initiatives Recent Years Implemented PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), e-NAM, Soil Health Card, Neem-coated urea, among others.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan-Samman Yojana (PM KISAN) N/A Provides 6,000 rupees annual cash aid to farming households, distributed in three instalments directly to bank accounts linked to an Aadhaar-based electronic database. Benefits 12 crore farmers nationwide.

Check:

Agricultural Workers’ Suicides

  • Reflects the severe stress and challenges faced by farmers.
  • A critical social issue impacting rural communities.

Farmer Suicide Rates India

  • High rates reported, with significant variations across states.
  • A concerning trend that highlights the need for urgent interventions.

Causes of Farmer Suicides in India

  • Crop failure and unpredictable weather conditions.
  • Heavy debt burdens and financial instability.
  • Lack of government support and market access.

Maharashtra Farmer Suicides

  • One of the states with the highest number of farmer suicides.
  • Linked to drought, debt, and cotton crop failures.

Agricultural Distress in India

  • Widespread issue affecting the livelihoods of millions.
  • Results from a combination of economic, environmental, and social factors.

Cotton Farming and Suicides

  • High input costs and low market prices contribute to financial pressure.
  • Particularly problematic in regions like Vidarbha, Maharashtra.

Climate Change and Farmer Suicides

  • Alters rainfall patterns and increases temperature extremes.
  • Exacerbates agricultural challenges and distress.

Government Response to Farmer Suicides

  • Initiatives include debt relief schemes and crop insurance.
  • Efforts to improve access to credit and agricultural support services.

Farmer Suicide Statistics India

  • Thousands of suicides reported annually, indicating a deep-rooted crisis.
  • Data underscores the need for comprehensive policy solutions.

Suicide Prevention for Farmers

  • Community support programs and mental health services.
  • Education on sustainable farming practices and financial management.

Economic Crisis and Farmer Suicides

  • Economic downturns exacerbate the vulnerabilities of farming communities.
  • Leads to increased instances of despair and suicide among farmers.

Debt and Farmer Suicides in India

  • Loans from informal sources at high interest rates common.
  • Debt traps from failed crops or investments major cause of suicides.

Trustworthy Sources on Farmers’ Suicides in India

Source Article Title Link Summary
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Cultivating distress: cotton, caste and farmer suicides in India Visit Source Discusses the alarming rate of nearly 400,000 farmer suicides in India between 1995 and 2018, highlighting the daily average and underlying causes.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Prevention of farmer suicides: Greater need for state role Visit Source Analyzes the reasons behind farmer suicides, including bankruptcy, indebtedness, and crop failure, emphasizing the need for state intervention.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Crop-damaging temperatures increase suicide rates in India Visit Source Presents research showing how high temperatures during India’s growing season increase suicide rates among farmers, linking climate change to agricultural distress.
Brookings Institution A Reality Check on Suicides in India Visit Source Provides data on farmer suicide mortality rates, with a focus on high rates in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, and the growth of these rates over two decades.

Conclusion

As an agrarian economy, India has seen an increase in farmer suicide over the years, thus we need to prevent it for a variety of reasons. To overcome a helpful remedy for farmer’s suicide, institutional support is required. The government must provide favorable conditions for small and marginal farmers to get timely and adequate support through lending to farmers, with a focus on helping these farmers acquire modern equipment for increased agricultural productivity.

To provide all qualified farmers with Kisan credit cards, giving them access to short-, medium-, and long-term loans from all institutions. crop rotation and diversification in agricultural productivity in the new environment. adoption of updated technology inputs, as well as the subsidized provision of infrastructure inputs like power, the availability of inputs like seeds, fertilizer, and tractors, and the provision of credit through all nationalized banks.

The Indian government must take action to stop this problem. Because every time a farmer commits suicide, the nation takes a step backwards, the government must offer farmers adequate institutional financial support. Government should provide a good crop insurance program in times of crop failure, and genuine relief to the affected farmers. Since they are the ones who provide us with food, we must rescue our farmers from their plight.

Check: Types of Agriculture in India

Farmers’ Suicides in India – FAQs

How many farmers have committed suicide in India?

Nearly 400,000 farmers committed suicide in India between 1995 and 2018, averaging about 48 suicides every day.

What are the main reasons behind farmers’ suicides in India?

Key reasons include crop failure, debt, environmental changes, low produce prices, and the high cost of chemicals and seeds.

Which state in India has the highest number of farmer suicides?

Maharashtra has consistently reported the highest number of farmer suicides in India.

How can farmer suicides in India be prevented?

Prevention strategies include improving access to credit, ensuring fair produce prices, offering crop insurance, and providing support services for mental health.

What impact does climate change have on farmer suicides?

Climate change exacerbates agricultural distress by affecting crop yields, leading to increased financial pressure on farmers, which can contribute to suicides.

What role does government policy play in addressing farmer suicides?

Government policies focusing on agricultural subsidies, debt relief, and support for sustainable farming practices are crucial in addressing the root causes of farmer suicides.

Are there any specific crops associated with higher suicide rates among farmers?

Cotton farmers, particularly in regions like Vidarbha in Maharashtra, have been notably affected due to the high costs of inputs and low market prices.

What is the role of social factors in farmer suicides?

Social factors, including caste discrimination and lack of community support systems, can exacerbate the isolation and stress experienced by farmers, contributing to suicides.



Last Updated : 27 Mar, 2024
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