In a recent report by Central government, 116 farmers in the first three months of 2016 have taken their lives. This statistic was released after the government concluded the grim numbers of last year, which stands three short of 3000.
Maximum numbers of deaths are recorded from the state of Maharashtra. With as many as 57 deaths in the first two months of 2016 were recorded from the parched state only.
Farmers in Punjab were held up in 2014 with 3 deaths But then the situation got worse in 2015 as staggering 495 farmers took their lives. The numbers are heading to a similar direction in 2016 as the number of deaths recorded till March 11, 2016 is 56.
However, Madhya Pradesh has seen less number of deaths. No deaths were reported in 2015 and in 2016 till date. The number of deaths was around 120 in 2014. Officials have lauded the government of Madhya Pradesh for their better agricultural growth and creation of irrigation infrastructure in water stressed area. A great learning that Maharashtra government can take to implement similar strategies to free their state from further suicides.
The central government informed Lok Sabha that out of 2115 farmer suicides in 2014, 1163 were under debt and the remaining breathed last due to crop losses. Maharashtra has a similar grey tale to tell - 857 out of 1207 farmer committed suicide due to debt burden.
Story Source: Times Of India
Image Credit: Indian Express
