Farmers’ worries real, but they are not solely in pain
₹6,000 each year from the treasury. Similarly, during the covid pandemic, the government began providing free foodgrain and edible oil each month to those in need. These schemes are continuing still, and are regarded as great aid in the villages of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar, which I have been in direct contact with.
The Central and state governments also operate numerous social programmes for children of farmers and agricultural labourers and for women in the occupation. The needy benefit from direct “cash transfer" to farmer accounts. Not just that, this class is also entitled to several other agricultural concessions.
There is no need for a telescope to see its good impact on the rural economy. If this is the case, why are farmer suicide rates climbing year after year? According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data 11,290 persons associated with agriculture committed suicide in 2022. Of these, 5,027 were farmers, while 6,083 worked on farms as labourers.
This year’s rate of such deaths has grown by 3.75% over last year. These are sorry figures, to be sure, but not everyone who is experiencing bad luck is associated with agriculture. In data from 2022, 170,921 suicides were reported to the bureau.
Of these, 11.6% were self-employed, 11.6% were housewives, 9.6% were jobless, 9.2% were employed, and 7.6% were students. Another 26% were daily wage workers. Farmers ranked seventh on this list.
The entire social and economic system can be held accountable for this. Getting it properly takes resources, time, and patience. Another issue needs to be addressed here.
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