Hyderabad, May 19: As many as nine farmers have committed suicide in the last four days, sending out signals both in the government and the Congress that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddyâs package on farmersâ suicides may boomerang.
Two farmers â G Ayyanna Goud, 45, of Mathurapur village in Mahbubnagar district and K Pullaiah, 36, a cotton farmer in Timmineni Palem of Khammam â committed suicide due to severe indebtedness on Wednesday, a day after the Chief Minister announced the package of Rs 50,000 for settlement of loan and Rs 1 lakh fixed deposit for the kin of the deceased.
On Tuesday evening, even as Reddy was urging farmers not to commit suicide, a farmer couple attempted to end their lives after writing a leter to the Chief Minister. Srinivasa Rao, 45, and his wife Venkata Rathnam of Nagarajupalli in Martutu mandal of Prakasam district said they were ending their lives because of pressure of debtors. They are fighting for their lives in Chilkaluri pet.
Rao had one-acre land where he dug a well and had taken four acre on lease for cultivation. Continuous drought and poor returns forced him to borrow money, which he was unable to repay.
Two farmers from Karimnagar and one each from Medak and Anantapur committed suicide on Monday and one farmer each from Karimnagar and Warangal resorted to the extreme step on Tuesday. Murmurs have begun in the party over the sudden spurt in farmersâ suicides and the Chief Ministerâs âunilateralâ decision on the package, while suggestions came in from farmersâ organisations that rescheduling of repayment of loan, both in banking and private sectors, for a few months could work as an effective preventive measure.
The Telugu Desam has been maintaining a stoic silence over the issue but is closely following the developments to strike at the government. Reddy fought for five years as Opposition leader for a package for the kin of farmers who have committed suicide, made it a prime electoral slogan. On a dramatic note, he announced from the dais of his swearing-in ceremony as Chief Minister on May 14 that no farmer in the State should commit suicide henceforth.
Reddy, who held a preliminary meeting on the issue on May 16, rushed the officials to prepare the package on May 17 following the suicide of P Suresh Kumar, a farmer in Medak. As many as four farmers, two from Karimnagar and one each from Medak and Anantapur committed suicide on Monday and one farmer each from Karimnagar and Warangal resorted to the extreme step on Tuesday.
âWe are only worried that spurt in suicides may lend credence to the TDâs argument that any package would encourage the debt-ridden farmers to end their lives,â a senior Congress leader said.
Congress sources also said the CM did not make any mention about the package when he discussed the Stateâs financial situation with senior Congress leader K Rosaiah and a host of State officials on May 16. âThough the CM signing the first file on free power is justified, other policy decisions need to be discussed in the Cabinet before making any announcement,â another leader said referring to package to prevent suicides and taking up irrigation projects in a big way.
......
âThe package is more focussed on relief to the kin of farmers who committed suicides, while it did not contain any preventive measure,â association president Mallreddy said.
Sub: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh! Insensitive and Thoughtless Policies...
While the former CM of A.P. Dr. Chandra Babu Naidu, was too busy cyber-goofing, self-promotion and gross negligence of agriculture, farmers were committing suicides. We know that they couldnât bear the repeated crop losses and consequent indebtedness, due to inadequate irrigation sources, floods and / or droughts.
Now, you, as if it weren't enough to give free-power to farmers, have announced, rather recklessly, your policy of paying a lakh and odd rupees - directly & indirectly - to the survivors of farmers who commit suicide on account of indebtedness. Lo! the next day what we hear is about a half a dozen farmers committing suicides (many more may follow), with a hope that govt. would release some funds with which the survivors can become debt-free and live happily, ever after.
One thoughtful clause if incorporated in this policy, before itâs announced hurriedly, we could have prevented these latest suicides. That clause should be that this policy doesnât cover any future suicides. Government relief to the accident-hit is reasonable. But for suicides â for whatever reason â could encourage willful suicides to benefit survivors as well as encourage cold-blooded murders being palmed off as suicides!
I request you to immediately announce this Clause in your above faulty policy. However, the permanent solution is however to make farmer to stand on his own legs and march ahead.
M.P. Rao.
Via the Chief Secretary, Govt. of A.P., India.@ cs@ap.gov.in
P.S.: I REQUEST ALL MY FELLOW-TRAVELORS TO WRITE TO THE AP CM, VIA cs@ap.gov.in
<!--QuoteBegin-prmadhura+May 21 2004, 10:18 AM-->QUOTE(prmadhura @ May 21 2004, 10:18 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> Lo! the next day what we hear is about a half a dozen farmers committing suicides (many more may follow), with a hope that govt. would release some funds with which the survivors can become debt-free and live happily, ever after. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
prmadhura <!--emo&:cool--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/specool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='specool.gif' /><!--endemo--> for writting directly to CM. More should do so.
Are there an NGOs type organizations helping out?
<b>Farmers' suicides ...44 and counting</b>
Even as the number of suicides by farmers has surged to 44 within a week, causing the Government deep dismay and concern, the newly formed Cabinet in Andhra Pradesh was meeting here Monday evening to discuss the grim situation. Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy, who reviewed the situation with senior officials, said the district collectors have been asked to verify each and every such incident in their respective districts and send their reports to the Government.
The latest incidents of suicide -- eight to be precise -- were reported from the districts of Guntur, West Godavari Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Khammam and Warangal on Sunday. In almost all the cases, the suicide was blamed on debt burden and crop failure, which had landed the farmers in a hopeless situation
Even as film and television artists and sportspersons took out a rally in Hyderabad to instil a sense of confidence among the farmers and send them a message that the Government was ready to provide them every necessary help, more distressed farmers ended their lives at various places. <b>Reports of suicide by farmers were received from Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Tirupati on Wednesday </b>taking the <b>total number of suicide by the farmers in the past 12 days to 55.</b>
SUB: <b>One Farmer Commits Suicide, in every 100 Minutes â Your Intervention is Needed!
</b>
Kindly read the below and write to the Chief Minister of A.P. on this subject at cm@ap.gov.in,cs@ap.gov.in urgent attention of the C.M.
<b>Fifth Open Letter to The Chief Minister of A.P.</b>
<b>Dear Dr. YSR,</b>
SUB: REMINDER-IV: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh!
REF: 01) My Emails on this dated, May 21, 24, 25 & 26 2004.
With reference to the above, Iâve nothing further to add except that during the last 24 hours 14 farmers have committed suicide, giving us a toll rate of approximately One farmer committing suicide in every 100 minutes.
I, once again, request you to withdraw your relief package or amend it suitably to prevent any further suicides.
Thanks & Regards,
<b>M.P. Rao</b>/May 27, 2004.
<b>Fourth Open Letter to The Chief Minister of A.P.</b>
Dear Dr. YSR,
SUB: REMINDER-III: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh!
REF: 01) My Emails on this dated, May 21, 24 & 25, 2004.
02) Todayâs Editorial of Deccan Chronicle, dedicated to this issue.
03) Todayâs two editorials of Times of India, discussing related issues.
During the last 24 hours, 10 more Heavily Indebted Farmers have committed suicide, since you announced that infamous relief package, now, making a total toll of 62 farmers. This suicide rate, now, stands @1 farmer for every 2 hours & 24 Minutes. Once again I request you to withdraw your relief package or amend it suitably to prevent any further suicides. While on the subject I wish to add a few more points to 10 points Iâve mentioned in my previous mails:-
11) Please constitute âA.P.S. Farm Sector Reforms Commissionâ staffed with experts of Agriculture, Meteorology, Hydrology, Irrigation, Marketing, Management, Rural Banking, Social Scientists, Economists and other knowledgeable personalities with the following terms of reference:
To analyze and come out â within six months - with robust solutions to the root-causes of,
A) Supply of Substandard Seeds, Pesticides & Fertilizers;
B) Erratic Meteorological predictions and prevention;
C) A thorough state-level research on Ground Water Table and its proper exploitation as well as to improve the Ground Water Table Levels, in a speedy manner;
D) Complete all pending Irrigation projects and plan some new ones for chronically drought his districts of Thelengana & Rayalaseema regions;
E) Free Incompetence & Corruption in the Markets Yards and bring some professional talent with commitment & integrity to run these Yards, not for the traders but for the farmers;
F) Establish a State-level Farm Banking & Insurance Corporation that underwrites all farm loans of authorized banks and outlaw any and all forms of private lending and also eliminate strong-arm recovery tactics by all types of lenders, including public sector ones.
G) Bring in Farm Cooperatives minus lacunae that we have witnessed in the sugar cooperatives but adapting the best practices of our Milk Cooperatives, which have been quite successful.
H) And any others that may bring in a lasting peace to the Farm Sector of our state.
As and when such Commission is constituted, I will make representation to it on behalf of the presently voiceless farmer. And, I am sure, many more concerned citizens would come up and throw ample light on the issue to enable us to collectively come out with some enduring solution to this chronic problem of small & marginal farmers of our state and the nation.
With Warm Regards,
M.P. Rao/May 26, 2004.
<b>Third Open Letter to The Chief Minister of A.P.</b>
Dear Dr. YSR,
SUB: REMINDER-II: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh!
REF: My Emails on this dated, May 21 & 24, 2004.
During the last 24 hours, eight more Heavily Indebted Farmers have committed suicide, since you announced that infamous relief package making a total toll of 52 farmers. This suicide rate, now, stands @1 farmer for every 3 hours. Once again I request you to withdraw your relief package or amend it suitably to prevent any further suicides. While on the subject I wish to add a few more points to eight points Iâve mentioned in my previous mail:-
09) Apart from the local moneylenders, unscrupulous traders who have been dumping on them rotten seeds and substandard fertilizers & insecticides are victimizing the farmers. This callousness has been actively connived by the officials through omission &/or commission.
10) Even banks have been using strong-arm tactics in recoveries from these already broke farmers.
Inter alia, the above two also must be stopped without any further delay.
While you are still in the process of looking into various suggestions on this subject, many more distressed farmers are bound to indulge in Harakiri. Your yesterdayâs Cabinet decision to constitute a Cabinet sub-committee to look into `how & whyâ farmers are committing suicide again is no solution to the problem.
You rode to power as a Champion of Farmers and now it appears that you decided to go down in history as a Villain of Farmers.
Kindly announce some urgent and positive measures to prevent any further suicides of distressed formers and attack the rout cause of it all though a comprehensive policy that
Addresses it on a holistic manner.
<b>Second Open Letter to The Chief Minister of A.P.</b>
Dear Dr. YSR,
SUB: REMINDER-I: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh!
REF: My Email on this dated, May 21, 2004.
I request Dr. Handa, the Chief Secretary to the A.P. Govt. to bring this to your urgent notice.
Today's newpapers confirm that so far 44 debt-ridden farmers of A.P. have committed suicide, eversince you announced relief package to the survivors of the deceased through these suicides. They also inform that just now you are about convening your cabinet for discussing this issue.
I once again appeal to your good senses that this policy be withdrawn immediately or amend it appropriately to make it applicable only to those farmers who committed suicides - on account of indebtedness prior to this date. The same amendment may kindly be flashed to all Village Heads/Secretaries to publicize extensively in all Villages. Any further delay in this decision would give us century on this front.
While the above is only a relief measure, permanent solution would be to address core issues of Farm Sector, which includes the following:-
1) Bring in harsh laws against Village level private moneylenders, who have been driving the week & miserable farmers to suicides. A moratorium on all private farm related debts and complete legal and police protection to the affected from the Village Level shylocks and their Goondas.
2) Bring in greater responsibility and accountability in the stateâs Agricultural Department, in terms of well thoughtout and advanced advice to the farmers on what to grow for the season. This should be complemented by the inputs from the local and international commodity market inputs.
3) Strengthen the Meteorological department through bring back echo-balance in the state. The current level of Echo-Imbalance is our Environment forcing even our meteorological predictions, futile.
4) Implement all pending, unreasonably delayed Irrigation projects in the state.
5) Rejuvenate and widen the scope of operations of stateâs Hydrology Department to meticulously map the ground-water table of the state and help farmers dig bore-wells where feasible.
6) Supply not just free power but a steady supply of power for about 8 to 10 hours a day, during farming seasons, without fail
7) Introduce FARM INSURANCE to all small and marginal farmers, atleast.
8) Initiate and Implement Cooperative Societies of all small & marginal farmers in each village & hamlet, while taking measures that these Societies are not captured by vested interest, but shall operate strictly under the guidance of Marketing & Management professionals and the stateâs Marketing Department, which in turn to be freed from bureaucrats and to be staffed with Seasoned & Committed Marketing & Management professionals.
Thank you and hope to hear from you giving us some prompt and meaningful actions,
It's the Agricultural Scientists who drove the Indian Green Revolution - I & II, White Revolution, Poultry Revolution, et al. All this was achieved on account of right govt. policies (remember Swaminathan?) and correct implementation of the same, mostly, by the extension officers of state agriculture departments, under the active guidance of the meteorological department. Our Agricultural Research Institutions & Satellites have played a powerful and silent role in this revolution. In case of commercial crops corporates from the industries of Tobacco, Paper, Edible Oils, etc. have driven the growth. But, once the markets are opened up and the Indian manufacturer started feeling the heat of the foreign competition, they deserted the Indian farmer. Even otherwise corporates' role used to be more of a bulk buyer than a fair market player is. And the petty buracreats don't know what hit the farmer nor do they care for his fate.
Subsidies or no subsidies, Indian farmers need to be made fighting fit in the current and future scenario. Now, they need Marketing and Management professionals to make them understand the dynamics of the farm markets (both national and international) and manage and market their produce more efficiently. The govt. sponsored "market yards" are, actually, supposed to be doing this, but thanks to the illiterate (no reference to their educational qualifications) and insensitive buracreats, most of who are also hand in glove with the petty trader-wholesalers have been driving them into misery, day by day. This is not to speak of erratic monsoons, not properly channelized irrigation resources and disproportionate investments/funding on location and tapping of ground water resources. This we should do through strong, competent and incorruptible Cooperatives helped by NGOs.
[As an Intl. Trade Executive, my colleagues and I used to prefer Ukrainian Cement and Vietnamese Rice to Indian ones, only to quote two bulk commodities that have been traded extensively. Compared with others, Indian producers have always been cost inefficient. With opening up we could do well without inefficient cement industry or steel industry. But what can we do with over 70 crores of farmers, farm workers and others â solely - dependent on farming activity?]
We need to do something about this, again on a very urgent basis. I am sure none of our political parties, buracreats, general public and even farmers is aware of this. There may be well-researched works by some scholars / think-tanks, buried among the billions of web pages and may be getting dusted on the shelves of policy makers.
<b>An Open Letter to The Chief Minister of A.P.</b>
Dear Dr. Rajasekhar Reddy,
Sub: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh! Insensitive and Thoughtless Policies...
While the former CM of A.P. Dr. Chandra Babu Naidu, was too busy cyber-goofing, self-promotion and gross negligence of agriculture, farmers were committing suicides. We know that they couldnât bear the repeated crop losses and consequent indebtedness, due to inadequate irrigation sources, floods and / or droughts.
Now, you, as if it weren't enough to give free-power to farmers, have announced, rather recklessly, your policy of paying a lakh and odd rupees - directly & indirectly - to the survivors of farmers who commit suicide on account of indebtedness. Lo! the next day what we hear is about a half a dozen farmers committing suicides (many more may follow), with a hope that govt. would release some funds with which the survivors can become debt-free and live happily, ever after.
One thoughtful clause if incorporated in this policy, before itâs announced hurriedly, we could have prevented these latest suicides. That clause should be that this policy doesnât cover any future suicides. Government relief to the accident-hit is reasonable. But for suicides â for whatever reason â could encourage willful suicides to benefit survivors as well as encourage cold-blooded murders being palmed off as suicides!
I request you to immediately announce this Clause in your above faulty policy. The permanent solution, however, is to make farmer to stand on his own legs and march ahead.
<b>Farmers suicide toll crosses 100</b>
Hyderabad, May 30: Six more farmers committed suicide in the State on Sunday, taking the number of farmers who have committed suicide since Y S Rajasekhar Reddy took over as Chief Minister to 104. In West Godavari district, Dongaveeti Veeravenkata Satyanarayana, 35, of Seetarampuram village of Tallarevu mandal committed suicide by consuming pesticide on Sunday. He had taken a three-acre land on lease from a landlord
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+May 30 2004, 07:27 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ May 30 2004, 07:27 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> <b>Farmers suicide toll crosses 100</b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
A friend in Hyderabad has been bombarding newspapers with letters on this. Latest sample received this morning:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Editor,
Deccan
Chronicle.
Dear Sir,
SUB: The Most Shameless Century of the Century.
I refer to your news item on the Suiciding Farmers in your issue 31/5/04, though there doesn't appear any news on the same in your today's issue (1/6/02).
The number of suicides crossing 100, I consider, as The Most Shameless Century of the Century achieved within a few weeks by the new CM. While Chandra Babu Naidu took a full term to hit 30 centuries on this count, Rajasekhara Reddy appears to be in a hurry to outmatch his rival and predecessor much earlier.
Why else doesn't he withdraw that infamous Relief Package and try to find some permanent solutions?
Thanks & Regards,
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Please write to editor@deccan.com, editor@deccanmail.com
06-16-2004, 06:26 PM (This post was last modified: 06-24-2004, 01:54 PM by prmadhura.)
Ninth Open Letter to The Chief Minister of A.P.
Dear Dr. YSR,
SUB: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh!
REF: My Emails on this dated, May 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and June 03 2004.
REF: http://www.deccan.com/City/CityNews.asp#Come clean on farmersâ deaths, BJP tells YSR
After a gap of over a week, todayâs papers report on three more farmers committing suicide yesterday. Agreed that not all farmers are committing suicide on account of debt-trap. But, isnât it strange that while 3,000 Andhra farmers took over 5 years to commit suicide (@. Four farmer per week), on an average 70 farmers a week are committing since you announced that faulty Relief Package to the survivors of Suiciding farmers?
Sir,
Please do de-link relief package to the survivors, without any further delay and take up some concrete measures to rootout this evil phenomenon.
Looking forward to your prompt action on the above,
With warm regards,
prmadhura,
My solution to AP is to copy Punjab Harit Karanti for long term and for final solution.
Lot is required to change. I will make comparison between Punjab/Harayna/Himachal (Punjab area) farmers for my take on this issue.
First is attitude towards life needs to be changed. Suicide is a sin not a solution.
Over 60% Punjab farmers in young age joins Indian army. Every year, for 2-3 months they take off during sowing and harvesting season. Whether season is good or bad they donât have to kill themselves they have salary, school, pension and medical benefits. Which is a smart way to lead life. I think it is Punjabi sprit or reality of border.
In Punjab every district has Agriculture College or institute or University which are involved in research and seasonal activities with farmers. Punjab farmers also hit by some or other problems every 3-5 years but they always gets speedy solution by these institutes. AP and other states lack this major infrastructure or resource for farmers. I was checking net there is only one Agriculture University and 2 colleges in AP which is too low compare to size of Punjab and AP.
Punjab was always wheat grower state but in 80s there was a massive flooding in Punjab. Farmers were wondering what to do, how to get rid of waters from farms before sowing season of wheat. Agriculture institute suggested them to grow rice for this season and they did. Now I think Punjab produce more rice than any other state in India.
Group farming is very popular in Punjab. They donât waste any piece of land. One can see there farms up to railway tracks. For fertilizers some even use planes. Why California Punjabi farmers are doing so great with Indian techniques?
Government should promote exchange programme to farmers of AP. Anyway this year crop is completely failed, ask them to work with Punjab farmers for one or more season. Punjab farmers can provide them food, roof and AP farmers can work in their farms and learn techniques and culture of North. Loan should be deferred for 2 or 3 years.
Yet to see very poor farmers in Punjab or poverty in Punjab.
Long term solution and change in atitude is required.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Jun 17 2004, 01:02 AM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Jun 17 2004, 01:02 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> prmadhura,
My solution to AP is to copy Punjab Harit Karanti for long term and for final solution.
Lot is required to change. I will make comparison between Punjab/Harayna/Himachal (Punjab area) farmers for my take on this issue.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Mudy,
There is only one Agriculture University in Punjab at Ludhiana, the next nearest is at Hissar, Haryana. The Ludhiana one was built as the only such pre partition university was in Layalpur ( now Faislabad), Punjab, Pakistan.
Though Punjab has gained because of better seeds and other inputs, the reason mainly is the best irrigation network in India was rebuilt , as it was lost to Pakistani Punjab, thru the efforts of Nehru and the CM Pratap Singh Kairon. Now Punjab is even unwilling to give Haryana's share of water and compete the SYL canal.
The second major reason for Punjab's success is that the sate agencies procurement of wheat and rice is the highest from Punjab , giving it an implicit insurance as even rotten grain is purchased if it rains during harvest.
There has been some progress in contract farming with the help of corporate, the credit for which should go to Pepsi and its tomato farming .
The main reason for farm incomes to decline is that they have not gone up to compensate for the reduction is size of holdings that takes place with every new generation. A farmer has three sons , so all get a third.
The answer to the problem , obviously is three fold, increase farm and non farm incomes in rural areas and also be prepared for the increasing migration to cities as it won't be able to sustain 600 m plus people. In developed nations about 2% of the rural population suffices to produce food for all and have far larger land holdings too. India can't be any different here.
This is easier said than done and needs a lot of agricultural experts, economists and business to put their heads together. One needs new ideas and a system to implement them as rural population is not as entrupneurial as city bred. One may need to create a thousand Amuls in horticulture, floriculture, fisheries , medicinal plants and herbs, fruits, poultry and meat, bee rearing, sericulture, rural crafts, rural tourism etc. etc. We also need cheap micro credit to be available to every rural house hold. We also need to conserve water and the environment.
<b>And my reasons why free power to farmers will only make the problem worse: </b>1.
It will lead to greater usage of power and further lowering of water table, which means every few years the farmers have to spend on digging deeper and eventually the farmer with the deepest hole and will win, which generally means the richest too, driving all others in the area to suicide and corner the entire power subsidy as well .. World Bank has calculated that the large farmers corner most of the subsidy , while the problem is with the smaller framer.
2. Encourage high water demanding crop which is the cause of the problem any way.
3. The growing power subsidy will leave little else for roads, education, health, sanitation etc. in rural areas.
The answers are obvious. The Govt needs to formulate an end to end ground level program for each area . (1) suggest the best crops that may be grown and provide the inputs (2) water conservation methods (3) cheap credit (4) minimum support price , better still product to market. Is best done thru tie ups with multinationals like Pepsi / Dabur who are proving all the inputs to farmers and take off too at contracted prices in Punjab and else where .
I also wish to share Dr. MS Swaminathan's agony on this issue:-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSS/DB/
17 June 2004
Prabakar Rao
My Dear Prabakar Rao,
Thank you for your letter. The distress of farmers is a matter of deep concern. I hope conditions will improve soon.
With warm personal regards,
Yours sincerely,
M S Swaminathan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
His previous revolve as follows:-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSS/DB/
3 June 2004
Prabhakar Rao
My dear Prabhakar Rao,
I thank you very much for your kind letter and for the information you have given. I hope we can help to make such unfortunate tragedies problems of the past.
With warm personal regards,
Yours sincerely,
M S Swaminathan
==============================================
The grand old man of Indian Green Revolution is now appointed as the Chairman of our National Farm Commission. I pray to God that he be granted a long and healthy life so that he can lead India into The Third Green Revolution.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->There is only one Agriculture University in Punjab at Ludhiana, the next nearest is at Hissar, Haryana. The Ludhiana one was built as the only such pre partition university was in Layalpur ( now Faislabad), Punjab, Pakistan<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Punjab Agricultural University was established in 1962 to serve the state of erstwhile Punjab.The PAU has played a key role in increasing food grain production in the Punjab State several folds share its reputation and ushering in an era of Green Revolution in India. It has also made notable contributions in increasing livestock and poultry production. In recognition of its outstanding achievements in agricultural research, education and extension, i<b>t was adjudged the Best Agricultural University in India</b>
This premier institution was established in October 1962 on the pattern of Land Grant Institutions of USA.<b> It had three campuses, Ludhiana (Punjab), Hissar (Haryana) and Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) apart from a net work of research stations/sub-stations scattered all over the State.</b>[this is most important reason for better farming techniques] With the reorganization of states, the campuses in the states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were transferred to their respective states. The Punjab Agricultural University was established under the Haryana and Punjab Agricultural Universities Act, 1970. The university presently has six constituent colleges:
Besides a number of<b> regional research stations and Krishi Vigyan Kendras </b>have been established in various agro climatic regions of the State to meet the research and extension needs of these regions.
<b>The College of Agricultural Engineering was established in the year 1964 </b>with the objective of catering to the needs of the State of Punjab in the discipline of Agricultural Engineering. The college has excellent training facilities in the field of undergraduate and postgraduate education.
The College has made notable contributions through its six departments and supporting units. The departments are: Farm Power & Machinery, Soil and Water Engineering, Processing & Agricultural Structures, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->There has been some progress in contract farming with the help of corporate, the credit for which should go to Pepsi and its tomato farming <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pepsi came to India recently.
I have never been to either AP/Punjab but irrigation systems in Punjab seems to be way ahead of AP - atleast thats my perception ? I remember reading something a loooong time back - once a cannal was built (ganganagar ?) from Bhakra Dam to ganganagar even ganganagar became very prosperous ?
The other difference might be the weather patterns ?
Having said that I have to admit I am no expert in AP/Punjab or more importantly agriculture.. <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
rajesh_g,
Major difference between Punjab and AP or others states is better utilization of available resources, scientific approach towards farming, closely linked with research institution and innovation. Agriculture institution network provides all type of information and solutions.
Lack of support and hope is major problem in AP. One should keep in mind farmers are most hardened and patient people.
This Research Work appears to have done a deep analysis of the phenomenon.
Tenth Open Letter to CM of Andhra Pradesh!
Dear Dr. YSR,
SUB: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh!
REF: My Emails on this dated, May 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, June 03, 16 & 17, 2004.
I am enclosing a research work by RM Vidyasagar and K Suman Chandra, entitled as "Debt Trap or Suicide Trap?"
Kindly study the same and bring in stringent measure to put a final fullstop to this unhealthy social phenomenon of farmers committing suicide.
Thanking you,
With warm regards,
M.P. Rao.
<b>Debt Trap or Suicide Trap?</b>
<i>(Centre for Social Development, National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad has recently (April 2003) published a study "Farmersâ Suicides in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka" by RM Vidyasagar and K Suman Chandra. Here we produce excerpts from its Chapter IV, âSummary, Conclusions and Suggestions for Future Interventionsâ.)</i>
THIS study has identified a suicide belt consisting of districts in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states where instances of farmersâ suicide continues unabated for last five to six years. This belt falls mainly in the arid and semi-arid zones of the Royalaseema region and in certain other districts in northern Karnataka that are contiguous to Royalaseema region. Within this region, farmersâ suicides have become a persisting feature for last five years in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Certain districts adjoining Anantapur but falling in Karnataka are also taken up where it is observed that suicides are taking place or have taken place.
Governmentâs perspective on farmers suicide in India (well articulated by Veeresh Committee report) has been critically analyzed in this study to argue that farmersâ suicides cannot be reduced to personal problems but related to the context of agrarian crisis. <b>There is also a view that ex-gratia payment to the suicide victims will encourage suicides.</b> Though ex-gratia payment is made during the earlier bout of farmersâ suicides in Warangal district of AP, suicides have stopped at present when the farmers are able to tide over the crisis at least temporarily. However, even though such payments are not made in the case of Anantapur, suicides continue unabated in this region for last five years. Thus, it is an erroneous view that ex-gratia payments to the suicide victimsâ families will encourage suicides.
<b>Agrarian Background of the Suicide Belt</b>
The northern districts of Karnataka bordering to Royalaseema region share the same agricultural background as Anantapur district. Drought condition is not something strange to Anantapur as this is one of the two districts in the country having lowest rainfall. Thus, low rainfall and drought conditions alone do not explain why farmers should take recourse to such extreme step while the farmers have already built enough resilience to drought conditions.
One of the striking features of changes in cropping pattern is that over a period of time Anantapur district has almost become a mono-crop district. It is seen that the area under groundnut has tremendously increased during last two decades, from a mere 16% of the gross cropped area 1930-31 to 70% in 1999-2000. The increase is sharper from late 1980s.
Local varieties of cereal crops (coarse grains) were also drought resistance to a greater extent and dependency on market for inputs was not much. But at present the mono-culture of groundnut has completely transformed socio-economic life of people. This is the crucial factor in understanding the phenomenon of farmersâ suicides. Resilience to drought is broken due to mono-culture of groundnut.
A recent study done by the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh reported that more than 55 percent of the farmers are not getting the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This is true in the case of Anantapur also. Most of the farmers are tied to the traders and middlemen who are dealing in agricultural inputs. This depresses the price that farmers are to get for their output. The cost of cultivation is increasing manifold in the 1990s.
Available data (1995 Agricultural Census) on land holdings in Anantapur district shows that about 90% of the holdings are small and marginal holdings. They are under great pressure owing to their dependency on vagaries of market and non-institutional forces that control input, credit and output markets.
Karnataka in general has a vast tract of drought-prone area ⦠It is said that the state has a disproportionate share of drought-prone areas in the country. The northern districts of Karnataka are considered backward compared to other parts of the state.
The crop pattern is tilting in favour of commercialization and hence the risk of crop loss increased due to higher proportion of purchased inputs and technology. There is also a tendency to adopt mono-culture and consequent over-exploitation of land. Marginal lands are being brought under cultivation and this puts pressure on the inputs as well as on farming practices. Technology available is lumpy in nature and therefore failure of one component can lead to a severe aggregate crop loss. The cash component in the package of inputs has increased substantially and has necessitated higher cash needs. In the districts that are identified for high incidence of farmersâ suicides, the area under irrigation is low and in most cases the source of irrigation is private wells.
Average operational holding in Karnataka has been reducing from 3.20 hectares during 1970-71 to 1.95 hectares during 1995-96. Number of marginal and small holdings almost doubled during this period. During 1995 marginal and small holdings accounted for 42% and 27% respectively of all the holdings in the state. In the districts selected for the study in Karnataka, marginal and small holdings predominate.
<b>Socio-Economic Profile â Findings from the field study</b>
* The incidence of suicides has been very high during 2001 as many farmers have sustained loss in agriculture owing to erratic monsoon during 2000. Farmersâ suicides in Anantapur district at present indicate that the incidence is again very high during 2002-03 due to severe drought conditions and crop failure.
* Farmersâ suicides cannot be attributed to any specific social/caste phenomenon.
* About 95% of the sample cases among suicide victims are males.
* About 55% of the victims in Anantapur are in the age group of 31-45 years. It is almost similar in the case of sample cases in Karnataka.
*<b>For many young people there are no adequate employment opportunities outside agriculture.</b> This compels them to remain in the village and somehow improve their income. Traditional subsistence farming not being more income yielding, there is a tendency among young people to shift for commercial farming and ⦠many of them are caught into the quagmire of mono crop.
* Our data indicates that there is no correlation between education levels and suicides.
* The data clearly show that victim farmers were more caught in the debt trap of non-institutional sources of credit compared to control cases.
* In many cases extreme step of suicide was taken recourse due to heavy pressure and humiliation from the private moneylenders.
* This is mainly because of the tie up that the farmers, especially the small, marginal and medium level farmers, have with the traders who also act as input suppliers, moneylenders and traders in agricultural commodities.
<b>Reasons for committing suicides</b>
Our study reveals that the debt trap is the main cause of certain farmers taking the extreme step of committing suicide. Debt trap is getting tightened up because of the agrarian crisis on the one hand and inaccessibility of institutional credit on the other. No institutions are forthcoming to lend money to farming community for the same purposes for which they lend money to urban middle class. Thus the farmers have to depend on non-institutional credit.
Alcohol related problem is cited as a high probable cause of farmersâ suicide in Veeresh Committee Report. Crop failure got less value than alcoholism in the probability analysis of the Committee. During the late 1990s, hundreds of farmers committed suicides in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. This was associated with heavy loss they suffered in cotton cultivation and the resultant debt trap. There were some interventions and the situation has improved with regard to cotton cultivation for the time being. As the conclusion of Veeresh Committee goes about attributing alcoholism as the main cause for suicides, the cases of suicides would not have stopped in Warangal district as no alcoholism still continue there but not suicides.
<b>Land Reforms</b>
The fact is that inspite of all crisis the peasants are clinging on to their land and also leasing in small parcels of land for cultivation. On the one hand land is seen as the basic line and on the other peasants are not left with any other option but to depend on agriculture. Thus the issue is to protect the interest of these resource poor farmers. However, Veeresh Committee has recommended almost to doing away with small farming that is considered as uneconomical. One of the important recommendations of this Committee is to bring radical changes in the existing Land Reforms Act. As the tenant farmers are leasing in land on contractual basis, they are not eligible for institutional credit and crop insurance. They have to depend on private sources of money lending at high rate of interests. The Committee has therefore recommended for "appropriate amendments to the Land Reforms Act so that the consolidation of small holdings and leasing operations of land are facilitated for a gainful employment without sacrificing the interests of farmers. Such amendments should be pro-active in attracting private investment and to prompt contract farming by groups, corporate sector and individuals can take lead on lease basis. Further such activities should also be declared as eligible for availing institutional finances and MSP." In essence, this step would only strengthen the corporate sector to lease in vast tract of lands as they have the needed resources. Peasants who are already under crisis cannot imagine to leasing in lands to the extent that it would be economically viable. For example, Karnataka Govt. has already identified certain districts in the state to be covered under the Agri-Export Zones where the corporate sector would be provided a package of service. An MOU has already been signed with Gherkins Production. There are moves by the Tamil Nadu Govt. inviting corporate sector to lease vast tracts of the so-called âwaste landsâ. Instead of making the small and marginal farms more viable with appropriate supportive measures, the suggestions for so-called radical changes in the land reforms would only push the resource poor farmers out of their own land adding to their misery. Experiences in other countries like China, South Korea, etc. should be taken into account for strengthening the small forms instead of eliminating them.
<b>Response of the farmersâ movement</b>
During 1998, when farmersâ suicides were reported from different parts of the country, the "Forum of Farmers Organizations on Globalization and agriculture" held a workshop at New Delhi and passed resolutions demanding safeguards for small and marginal farmers from the onslaught of WTO. This was not followed by any active mobilization of peasants at the field level. However, in Ananthapur district the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) associated with CPI has organized protest marches and voiced concern about farmersâ suicides in different forums. During the Asian Social Forum meet at Hyderabad during January 2003, a public hearing on farmersâ suicide was organized by the AIKS. The issue of farmersâ suicide has been raised in the legislative assemblies of the respective states by the opposition parties. In fact in Anantapur district, the Congress Party mobilized resources and paid compensation to the families of the victims (it is another issue that the Congress which is a ruling party in Karnataka refuses to pay any such ex-gratia payments to the families of the victims). Beyond these, active mobilization of farmers who are caught in the debt trap is not taking place.
<b>Conclusion</b>
Suicide of farmers in such phenomenal scale cannot be just dismissed as personal and psychological problems or mass hysteria. This would amount to psychological reductionism. The central issue of farmersâ suicides is the debt trap. Small and marginal farmers, especially those, who lease in land from others, are not eligible for availing institutional credit and crop insurance. Thus they land at the doorsteps of the usurious moneylenders. This debt trap is tightening because of the drastic shifts in the cropping pattern that is market driven. Government policies like removal of QRs under WTO regime have created havoc and exposed the farmers to the volatility of international market and prices. This situation has helped in strengthening the merchant capital and the traders cum moneylenders have their fortunes in the absence of supportive institutional mechanisms. Market driven mono cropping has damaged the fertility of the soil and created ecological imbalances. All these factors along with the usual social pressure have made many small and marginal farmers to throw up their hands. This process is intensifying during the last decade under the regime of liberalization and globalization.
Regarding micro-credit and institutional lending there was a good article on Sulekha by Prof R Vaidyanathan. I think it was on retail sector but the arguments would equally apply to the farm sector. I havent saved the link- will post when I find it.
06-22-2004, 06:11 PM (This post was last modified: 06-22-2004, 06:13 PM by prmadhura.)
<span style='font-family:Arial'><b>Twelfth Open Letter to The Chief Minister of A.P.</b></span>
Dear Dr. YSR,
SUB: Suicide of Farmers in Andhra Pradesh! - Enact and Enforce <b>"Farmers Protection Act"? </b>
REF: My Emails on this dated, May 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and June 03, 16, 17 & 18, 2004. (for my previous mails on this, please visit Farmers Harakiri in A.P.
Your recently passed bill of Moratorium for just six months, that too only of the private loans is nothing short of a half hearted excersize or is it a great start of a greater beginning towards alleviating the misery of utterly hopeless farmer lot? Please note that the recovery agents of both private lenders and public lenders use the same kind of strong-arm tactics in their recovery excersize.
Our farmers have been hit by drought during the previous three years. They need three to four years of reprieve for loan-repayments, interest waiver, etc. along with intime quality supply of seeds, insecticides, fertilizers and good mansoons.
Current day Farmersâ deep indebtedness is the grand result of heinous crime perpetrated through the supply of 01) faulty seeds, 02) substandard fertilizers and 03) spurious Insecticides, not to speak of failure to supply seeds intime by the inefficient Seeds Supply Corporation and finally the bad mansoons of the last three years.
Save the last one, the Government can ensure all other issues by Enacting and Enforcing <b>"Farmers Protection Act"! </b>This must be on the lines of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 read with Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 etc. Under such act, crime against innocent, voiceless and generally week Farmers must be treated as the gravest of grave crimes against the society itself, as whole, and must be dealt with the culprits, accordingly.
This Act should provide for <b>âFarmers Grievances' Redressal Cells (FGRC)â </b>at Village-level, to prosecute suppliers of spurious seeds, substandard farm inputs, etc. The Act should enable FGRCs with full magisterial powers to summon, subpoena, arrest, confiscate and punish both with rigorous imprisonment and matching monetary compensation by the culprits to the affected farmers. As per the `rule-of-lawâ provisioning, there can be appeal at the Mandal/Block level and District level FGRCs. Final appeal must rest with the State FRGC or the State High Court, only where a genuine cause of appeal exists.
As for the loans to the farmers, the govt. sponsored lending hardly meets 25% of the total loan requirement of todayâs farmers. While Government should consciously try to bridge this gap, till such time private lending must be tightly regulated and must be brought under the purview of âFarmers Grievances' Redressal Cells (FGRC)â.
<b>Village Committees </b>, appointed by the gram Sabhas, must be formed to keep vigil on the activities of private moneylenders and traders of seeds and other farm inputs and shall also act as the prosecuting authority, rendering free legal aid to the Farmers.
Agricultural and meteorological Departments must be granted with latest Testing and Research Equipment.
Government Agencies must withdraw from trading of seeds and other farm inputs, if any and should confine to Inspection, Certification and Regulation of the markets of seeds, insecticides, fertilizers, etc.
Free Power to the Farmers must be replaced with highly subsidized power to farmers for farming purpose and thus ensure thoughtless or willful wastage of both water and power.
We must free the nexus of the pretty bureaucrats and traders, which has been short-changing farmer for too long More than 55% of the farmers fail to sell at the MSP on account of this nexus. Market Yards must be managed by farmersâ cooperatives, where any trader, from anywhere should be able to walk-in and shall â without farming rings of any kind âbid for & buy the farm produce on offer. These market yards must be peopled with agricultural scientists, agri-marketing professionals and cooperative managers.
<b>A comprehensive Farm Insurance Act. </b>must be Enacted and Enforced. Details can be discussed later.
The above are in addition to the suggestion made by me in my previous mails.
Thanks and look foreword to complete and speedy Redressal to the farmers,
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