dian farmers and

icide: How big is

e problem?

Why should we talk about farmers suicides???

Agriculture
The
In
Indian
shareplanning
ofprovides
sector
agriculture
has
agriculture
the
a pivotal
sector
principal
sector
in
role
G.D.P.
means
in
ignored
Indian
of
ofIndia
livelihood
except
economy.
was in
44.0%
for
a few
over
during
five
60 years
percent
1973-74
plan.
of.India's po

HISTORY

In the 1990s the Govt. officials denied a large number of suicides, but as more and more information

Farmers Suicide statistics

On an average 38 farmers commit suicide everyday in India,

Reasons for farmers suicid

in India

health promblems; 6%; 6%

indebtedness; 19%; 19%
addiction; 8%; 8%

GENERAL
PROBLEMS

daughter/sister's marriage; 10%; 10%

economic downfall; 19%; 19%

dent in social status; 14%; 14% conflict in family; 11%; 11%

crop failure; 13%; 13%

CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

DROUGH
T

Monsoons
Farmers in India over depend on the monsoons.

LACK OF PROPER IRRIGATION

GROUND

LACK OF POWER SUPPLY

Many
tasks
related
to
agriculture are power/electric
dependent.
Costly or no electricity supply
proves
to
a
significant
problem.

EXPENSIVE TECHNOLOGIES

MISGUIDED POLICIES

The waiver given by government helps only if the loan has been taken from a government-backed i

GIRL CHILD
Dowry is still present in many parts of India.
Dowry creates financial pressure on the family
head.
Many farmers die because of lack money for
dowry during their daughters marriage. They
are stressed and depressed and when find no
option , suicides seems to be the only solution
as per them. But this puts their family into more
trouble
and
poverty
and
the
cycle
continues..

Green revolution

Indebtedness
Indebtedness was the reason behind the suicide of 93% farmers.
Out of 17.64 Lakh farmers only (25.3%) farmers could avail
institutional finance in 2005-06.
Private money lenders charge high interest rates between 4860% p.a.
Higher rate of interest in the cooperative credit system e.g. up
to 12.5% to 14% till last year.
cooperative sector brought down their interest rates to 7%, even
then the farmers are taking loans from the private individuals.

Reasons for indebtedness

Measures to prevent
farmer suicides

REHABILITATIVE MEASURES
Counselling can be provided to the farmers family
The families can be helped to gain benefits of various
government schemes.
Dependent family members can be provided with guidance
to other livelihood alternatives(non farm employment) and
Seed support, manure, tank silt (red soils) or cost of
cultivation can be provided.
Interest free loan and free health insurance services are
also required.

What government can

do?
Immediate Measures
Immediate compensation for
crop failure
Remunerative prices, direct
procurement from farmers
Modify export/import policies
and tariffs in favour of Indian
farmers
Provide ex-gratia and loan
repayment support for all
families of farmer suicides in

What government can

do?

Addressing Root Causes

Price Compensation system for all food

crops: when MSPs or market prices are less
than Target Price (Cost of Cultivation +
50%), the difference should be paid
directly to farmers

Guarantee minimum living incomes to all

farmers

Promote sustainable agriculture which

reduces cost of cultivation and crop risk

Comprehensive rain fed agriculture

mission based on diverse cropping
systems, protective irrigation and livestock
systems

What government can

do?

Addressing Root Causes

Bank credit to all farmers with adequate
scale of finance
Effective crop insurance to cover all crops
and all farmers
Inclusion of tenant farmers in all support
systems