Rising farmer suicides affect primary sector

In economic terms, it may sound vague that agricultural advances are touching Rs 30,000 crore when incidences of farmers committing suicide are on the rise in Madhya Pradesh. Over the last fortnight, three farmers have committed suicide and another is battling for life. State authorities are lending a deaf ear to the going-abouts.

Against the banking details of a farmer, Shivprasad, who committed suicide on January 8 reportedly due to debt-strain, the state spokesperson and cabinet rank minister Narottam Mishra termed him a rich farmer in an official communiqué. The state government officials completed the suicide probe hurriedly in a day and evaluated his land value at Rs 50 lakh. Mishra officially denied any farmer committing suicide due to financial strains. Another farmer, Nandkishor committed suicide in Damoh district, because he failed to repay his loans. “Shivprasad had a poor mental health while Nandkishor didn’t take precautions while handling pesticides in his farm,” Mishra said.

Shiv Prasad hailed from Birjees Nagar, which is facing severe water crisis. The farmer, according to villagers, had bank dues and his frost-bitten crop forced him to commit suicide.

According to Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, a farmer fetches Rs 1,362 against sowing of one quintal wheat in an acre of land at Rs 3,977. In the absence of agriculture extension schemes, non-availability of field staff, poor availability of fertlisers and seeds, low rainfall and pressure from industrialists and real estate developers, the primary sector is suffering the most in the state.