Farmer woes: Debt, Drought and Despair
There has been an epidemic of suicides of farmers across India's drought-stricken regions over the past few months. The stories behind them are all tragically similar. Debt is the driving force.
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India's drought-stricken regions have seen an epidemic of farmer suicides over the past few months. The stories behind them are all tragically similar. Debt is the driving force.
The death of Mahadev Shetty (seen in this picture), a young farmer in a fertile district like Karnataka, is reflective of the plight of thousands of farmers in a state, which was so far believed to be better equipped to handle the agrarian crisis. (NDTV Photo)
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Mahadev, who drowned himself in the village pond four months ago, had struggled to get his five sisters and a brother married. The burden of debt forced him to take his life, leaving behind a loving wife and two young children. It was his reasons for taking the loan that reflect the plight of thousands of farmers like him. (NDTV Photo)
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Thousands in Yavatmal turned to soyabean, a crop cheaper to sow and faster to harvest. Three years later, they see themselves getting sucked into another vicious cycle. Although it started raining in June-end, the subsequent prolonged dry spell has left Yavatmal district, the epicentre of farmer suicides, in crisis yet again. (AFP Photo)
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Thousands of farmers commit suicide in India every year over failed crops and mounting debts. Government promises have done little to ease the misery of farmers in these districts as they live with the reality of parched fields and mounting debt. (AFP Photo)
