FARMERS SUICIDES AND

AGRARIAN DISTRESS
 Introduction

India is an agrarian economy with two third of its working

population directly or indirectly upon agriculture. Agriculture has
17.32% share in India GDP (2016 est).There has been an increase
in competition in the global agricultural sector that causes
distress among small scale farmers who are increasingly left
behind in this process.This is particularly in India where agrarian
crises has led to an increase farmers suicides.
 Causes

 Small and Fragmented land holdings,

 Seeds,Manures,Fertilizers and Biocides are not properly available,
 High mechanism is not affordable,
 Soil erosion,
 Inadequate Storage Facilities,
 Inadequate transport,
 Scarcity of Capital,etc
 STATISTICS

According to a report by the National crime Record Bureau, the states with the highest
incidence of farmer suicide in 2015 were
Maharashtra(3,030),
Telangana(1,358),
Karnataka(1,197),
Madhya Pradesh(581),
Andhra Pradesh(516),
Chhattisgarh(854).
As per National Crime Record Bureau, the number of suicides by farmer and farm
labourers increased to 12,360 in 2014,against 11,772 in 2013.Of these suicides, 5650
were farmers suicides.
As of 2018, the Indian government has not published data on farmer suicides since
2015.
 Solutions

 Giving debt relief

 Insurance coverage
 Food schemes and to release land under mortage
 Income security should be the government’s responsibility
 Newer mechanisms are needed for pricecompensation
 Need of comprehensive mission for sustainable agriculture in rainfed areas
 Special integrated relief and rehabilitation package for farm widows and farmers in
distress