Daily 23 farmers killed self in 2015, says Agriculture Minister

Every day 23 farmers committed suicide in 2015 as against 15 farmers in 2014, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh told Parliament on Tuesday. He stated that National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has not complied data on suicide deaths after 2015. The Home Affairs Ministry compiles and disseminates information on suicides in its publication titled 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India' (ADSI). "These reports on suicides are available till 2015. The reports for 2016 onwards have not been published yet," Singh said. As per the report, a total 5,650 farmers committed suicide in 2014 and 8,007 committed suicide in 2015.

He said that as per report of 2015 'bankruptcy or indebtedness' and 'farming related issues' are major causes of suicides among farmers and cultivators. "State governments provide relief to families of farmers who commit suicide," he said.

The minister pointed out that some of the states provide relief to the families of farmers who committed suicide which includes – ex-gratia relief to the heirs of deceased farmer, one-time settlement to wipe off loans and liabilities towards rehabilitation of the family members and free education to deceased farmers' children.

He further pointed out that the government has set a target of doubling of farmers' income by 2022. The government has constituted an inter-ministerial committee under the chairmanship of chief executive officer, National Rainfed Area Authority, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare to examine issues relating to doubling of farmers' income and recommend a strategy to achieve doubling of farmers' income in real terms by 2022.

The panel has submitted its report to the government. It has identified seven sources of income growth including improvement in crop productivity; improvement in livestock productivity; and improvement in real prices received by farmers.

Killing Fields  

• 5,650 farmers com-mitted suicide in 2014 
• 8,007 farmers com-mitted suicide in 2015

(Source: ADSI report)