It may have been happening in Vidharba region since a few years now but this year it has happened right in the heart of Karnataka.
Heavy rains/flooding caused vast losses to various crops. Lucky if the farmers did not take loan for their crops and if they did, very soon there will be suicide cases from Karnataka too !
It is foolish to blame any govt. for farmer suicides - we must spread awareness and be prepared for such unfortunate situations. Especially by being prepared to preserve rainy water and use it during the days when there will be no rain.
RE:Surely they are very much connected !
by Gautam Sinha on Apr 08, 2008 01:51 PM Permalink
Climatic changes and variations do not cause farmer sucide, they learn to live with this cycle for centuries. The cause is exploitation. even if these farmers had bumper crop such is the system that next year too farmers would have to take loans.
RE:RE:Surely they are very much connected !
by Jonas DSouza on Apr 08, 2008 01:59 PM Permalink
If it rains when the crop is about to be harvested and all the crop gets washed out in the floods, what would a farmer do especially when he expecting to pay off the loan after selling his yeilds ?
A farmer totally depends on the mansoons that are expected by June. Not in March/April ??
RE:Surely they are very much connected !
by hari ray on Apr 08, 2008 02:09 PM Permalink
Farmers for generations are dealing with flood and monsoon and never ever the suicide rate was so high. Farmer suicide rate is even low in West Bengal inspite of having higher population density implying each farmer has smaller piece of land to tile on an average and therefore limited economic resource to feed the family. The farmer suicide epidemic in Maharashtra and Andhra is man made and aggravated by callous governments at state and union level.
RE:Surely they are very much connected !
by hari ray on Apr 08, 2008 01:59 PM Permalink
there will be hajar guys who will push you back saying "are you more knowlegable than WHO?" And you will be left speachless.
RE:Surely they are very much connected !
by Gautam Sinha on Apr 08, 2008 03:07 PM Permalink
I do not disagree with WHO that the factors are co related. However I am merely stating that it is not climate but the exploitation which is causing this. Climate is only an addition to the factor. Now I dont really know why WHO released this kind of study at this juncture and why PTI is publicizing it. Of course both are well within their rights to do so but it will be misinterpreted and misused by most parties. Also other factors which aid the cycle like forcing or seducing to use GM seeds etc are being downplayed as a result of this study
