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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Farmers in the prime of life succumbing to ‘anxiety’ -Shankar Bennur

Farmers in the prime of life succumbing to ‘anxiety’ -Shankar Bennur

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published Published on Jul 16, 2015   modified Modified on Jul 16, 2015
-The Hindu

Inability to repay loans, and uncertain future taking a toll on young farmers

Mysuru: Even as the disturbing trend of debt-ridden farmers ending their lives is turning chronic, most among them, at least in Mysuru district, were in their youth and had perhaps entered the vocation with much hope.

At a time when youngsters are being encouraged to take up farming, the ongoing agrarian crisis in the State may drive them way unless the government addresses the uncertainties conscientiously, say farmers’ leaders.

Nine cases in Mysuru

The total number of cases of farmers’ suicides for reported agrarian reasons has touched nine in the district alone. Suicidal tendencies have been more among the young farmers, aged between 30 and 40, if the recent cases are an indicator.

The questions remain: why are farmers resorting to the extreme step? Is debt the only reason behind this?

Kurubur Shanthkumar, president of the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association, says: “Farming is becoming a sort of unthinkable occupation for young members of a farmer family for various reasons. The few that take up farming get trapped in debt, which is claiming lives.”

Mr. Shanthkumar told The Hindu that most farmers were small land-holders and depended solely on the crop for their livelihood. “When crops fail and don’t fetch expected returns after taking loans and toiling in the field for almost a year, it surely hurts them.”

Arguing that getting loans from a cooperative institution was not easy, he said, “I had to wait for six months to get a loan. Most farmers therefore borrow from private moneylenders, paying overpriced interest rates.”

Senior psychiatrist Ravish of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute says: “Besides economic reasons, gullibility, dependency, and uncertain future can also be the cause. At this stage, psychological counselling is best suited.” Farmers, particularly, the younger lot seem to have “anxiety”, which is taking a toll on them.

The issue of taking care of dependants, burdened with debt, and apprehensions over loan repayment, are some other factors.

Sociologist R. Indira suggests a case-by-case study of farmers’ suicides to draw conclusions on the factors. Studies on farmers’ suicides may have been done elsewhere, but the State is facing a serious crisis and therefore calls for an in-depth examination.

The Hindu, 15 July, 2015, http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/farmers-in-the-prime-of-life-succumbing-to-anxiety/article7423143.ece


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