Main causes of farmer suicide in India and the measures Govt has taken to address this

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian Economy, nearly half of the country force depends upon it. However beneath the green fields lies a profound and persistent humanitarian crisis: The Tragic Phenomenon of Farmers Suicides. This very phenomenon is deeply constructed and concentrated in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh. The crisis represents a complex web of various causes, some of Causes of Farmers Suicides 1. Indebtedness and Credit Crisis Small and marginal farmers often struggle to obtain loans from the institutional banks due to illiteracy, lack of collateral.

As a result, they depend on private moneylenders. These money-lenders charge very high interest rates. When crops fail or income is low, farmers cannot repay their loans. Over time, the debt increases and become unmanageable. Continuous borrowing and repayment pressure create extreme mental stress. Other than these, Medical emergencies in families often require large expenses. Social obligations such as marriages add additional financial burden. It is not only an economic problem but also a social stigma that people feel ashamed to talk about. ② Crop Failure and Rising input costs Crop Failure is another major reason. Agriculture in India is highly dependent on rainfall. Unpredictable weather condition such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves often destroy crops. In addition, pest attacks can damage entire fields. Farmers invest money, labour, and hope into each crop season, but a single natural disaster can lead to total loss. In such situations, there is often no immediate or sufficient compensation. The rising cost of agriculture further worsens the situation. The prices of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, diesel, and irrigation have increased significantly. Although the Govt. announces MSP, many farmers are unable to sell their produce at these rates due to limited procurement and market access. ③ Other than aforementioned causes; Land Fragmentation -> Inheritance practices across successive generations have systematically fragmented agricultural land is another cause responsible for it.

Measures taken by the Government To alleviate this multi-dimensional crisis and provide structural stability to rural families, the Govt. of India has made several welfare schemes. 1) PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) It provides ₹6,000 annually via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in three equal installments to eligible landholding families without the interference or without relying on the money lenders. 2) PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) It provides crop insurance against specified crop losses caused by risks such as drought, floods, pests and diseases. 3) KCC - Kisan Credit Cards It provides institutional credit for agricultural and allied activities alongside helping farmers in avoiding dependence on high interest informal lenders. 4) MSP (Minimum Support Price) Minimum Support Price is announced for major crops while procurement operations aim to provide farmers with price support and reduce distress sales. Other than these; the schemes or measures taken by the Central Govt. like: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sanchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for irrigation facilities Soil Health Card e-Nam (Electronic Natural Agricultural Market) which improve in connecting agricultural markets digitally. MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Government Employment Guarantee Act) Promotion of Dairy, Fisheries, poultry, etc. are highly commendable. The state Govt of Odisha has implemented central schemes and also introduce their own programmes according to local agricultural conditions. 1. KALIA/CM-KISAN - Provide financial assistance (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) to small and marginalised farmers, sharecroppers, landless agricultural households. Along with it Odisha implements PMFBY, Crop insurance to protect farmers against notified crop losses, Odisha has introduced the Samruddha Krushak Yojana - providing additional support linked to paddy procurement.

etc. What Can We as a common People do? 1. We can promote Farmers Producer organisations where they can collectively purchase inputs and sell produce. 2. Promotion of Digital Literacy and Local-Language access which include use of technology responsibly - Weather Alerts - Market-Price Information - Crop-Disease identification and agricultural advisories 3. Promote sustainable agriculture through water conservation, soil conservation, Organic Farming, Use or Increase in use of Millets, etc encouragement of direct farmer-consumer linkages etc. "A farmer should not have to choose between the debt and health". We have seen in the movies like "Jawan" - addresses the critical socio-political issue of farmer suicides and debt in India acting as primary catalyst; The Movie "Kisaan" - focuses the tensions between agricultural livelihoods, land pressures and unequal distribution of economic opportunities etc. Though the movie "Lagaan" does not co-relate with it; but it is a landmark how rural farmers fighting oppressive British taxation (Lagaan) during the agrarian crises. So, The solution to farmer suicides lies not in treating suicide as an isolated event but in addressing the structural vulnerabilities that precede it. It cannot be solved by temporary financial relief packages or short term loan waivers alone which itself can be seen from the above mentioned movies as examples. True stability will arrive by developing climate resilient crop varieties, non-farm employment opportunities and most importantly making institutional mental health counselling accessible within rural communities to protect the lives of those who feed the nation.

A farmer needs both a financial safety net and an emotional safety net. "He cares for the nation, Let us care for him. But not with tears and pain, But with hope and support." Cause The nation prospers, when he prospers.