Aurangabad, May 12: With the worsening drought situation in the region, farmer suicides continue unabated this year. About 300 farmers have taken their lives since January this year.
The highest number (83) of farmer suicides has been reported from Beed district, followed by Nanded with 55 deaths and Osmanabad with 50 cases. Last year, a total of 569 farmers in the region had taken their lives.
Osmanabad is one of the two districts selected by the state government to study the cause of farmer suicides and suggest measures to curb the phenomenon. A team of top IAS officials has been specially deputed in Osmanabad and Yavatmal to study farmer suicides and suggest steps to be taken.
Beed district collector Naval Kishor Ram said, "In 2001, cultivation of the cash crop of cotton brought many changes in rural economy. It has very high input costs. If there is a good harvest, the farmers earn good returns. However, if the crop fails, the farmers suffer huge losses and at times it becomes unbearable for them.
He added that though only 23% soil is conducive for cotton cultivation, majority of the farmers are still opting for it.
State revenue minister Eknath Khadse on Monday said he had sought an explanation from chief secretary regarding the alleged under-reporting of farmer suicide cases in the state to the Centre. "I have asked the chief secretary to find out how incorrect information was sent to the Centre. Instructions have been issued that such incidents should not recur," he said.
Khadse was in eye of storm after Union agricultural minister Radha Mohan Singh's revelation in Parliament that only three farmers in Maharashtra had ended their lives due to recent hailstorm and unseasonal rain. He said the data submitted to the Centre was based on suicide notes.
He appealed to farmers to take inspiration from tribals in Nandurbar and Melghat areas. "Farmers should keep their morale high. They should look at tribal population in Nandurbar and Melghat regions, who lead life despite being surrounded by all adversities," he said.
Khadse took stock of the situation in Marathwada ahead of this year's kharif season. He said the state government was committed to reconstituting farm loans at low interest rate of six per cent. "Discussions are on with Nabard and RBI to accept our proposal. If these banks show reluctance to our proposal, the government will pitch in with necessary financial aid," he said.
The minister said licences of traders hoarding seeds and fertilizers would be suspended immediately and criminal proceedings would be initiated against them. Among other decisions, needy farmers can opt for different machinery needed for ploughing and sowing at nominal rates from central facilities at taluka and regional level.
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