Why the farmer reaps despair

Indebtedness is a manifestation of hopelessness among Yavatmal8217;s farmers, not its cause

Farmer8217;s suicides were discussed most recently at the Congress chief ministers8217; conclave in Nainital but the grim reality remains unchanged, with reports of such tragedies constantly trickling in. Our study of the suicide prone Yavatmal district in Maharashtra suggests that there is a considerable hopelessness among the farmers in the district. Indebtedness is a manifestation of that hopelessness and not its cause. The causes are too complex to be enumerated quickly, but one central feature is the absence of information about institutional structures that impact the profession of farming.

Often the contemporary farmer is a first generation farmer, and just as often he is using new and unfamiliar technology to enhance his profits. The gap between knowledge and practice needs to be filled in a responsible manner. The gradual disappearance of governance personnel at the village level over the last two decades has meant that this gap remains largely un-addressed. Traditionally, since Independence, our government and political workers, though not necessarily of political parties, have been in the forefront of change. There is no reason why, in the name of privatisation and participation by civil society organisations, they should abdicate this self-assumed responsibility.

The epidemic of suicides requires concerted action on various fronts. These may not be 8216;direct8217; points of intervention in the same way as a loan waiver may be. But these are essential first steps to stop suicides. To begin with, there is need to enhance the physical interaction between government functionaries and village society by insisting on more tours, night halts and gram sabhas by officers. This, we feel, is the absolute key to resolving many issues. The number of points of direct contact between the government and the farmer needs to be increased. Local society, especially that of farmers, must be monitored, for signs of social, economic and psychological distress, and counselling provided promptly. Alternatively, there is the requirement to set up systems that would ensure such monitoring on a regular basis.

There must be rigorous implementation of the provisions to safeguard the interests of the farmer and farm workers: for example, the money lending act, minimum wage act, etc. These acts could be modified to remove existing loopholes. The efficiency of agriculture extension activities must be increased, including measures to spread information about improved ways of cultivation. The efficiency of services delivered by the government must be enhanced 8212; local government hospitals must improve, there must be an increase in the number of primary health centres as well as better roads.

People in this region need immediate succour in health care and not just sensitisation about sanitation, safe drinking water, nutrition and family planning. Each panchayat needs at least one trained medical nurse who can provide immediate succour and guide the people to a suitable health provider in times of illness. The issue is serious enough to be treated in the same way as we did the abolition of the zamindari system: with political and administrative will. The health workers8217; salaries should come from government funds but be paid by the local people thus ensuring that s/he is accountable to them. Volunteers and other activists may not be accountable to the local people in the same way a salaried employee is.

For long-term change, it is important to improve the condition of school education and provide vocational education, at least at the village and taluka level, to enable people to understand and utilise the complexities of present day production and marketing techniques.

An important mechanism in generating a suicide epidemic is the constant highlighting of instances of suicide. The media must stop highlighting these tragedies since such coverage only adds fuel to the fire. Ex-gratia payment to families of those who commit suicide should also be stopped. A victim of suicide should not be treated on a par with victims of other unforeseen happenings. A family that has lost its breadwinner does need some government and social assistance. However, this could be done by providing employment to a member of the family or help in setting up a small business. Finally, direct cash subsidies must be provided to actual cultivators because indirect subsidies seldom benefit them.

Story continues below this ad

In the last 200 years, we had suffered from famines more than 38 times. It is only in the last 25 years that the spectre of famine finally vanished. If we wish this to remain the case, we need to focus anew on the farmer.

Meeta is deputy director general at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration, Pune. Rajivlochan is a historian of contemporary India based at Panjab University, Chandigarh. Views are their own