Why in the news?

  • The latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau recorded 10786 farmer suicides in 2023, most of which occured in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Farmers’ suicide in India

  • Causes for Farmers’ suicides:
    • Economic Factors:
      • Indebtedness due to dependence on informal moneylenders, high interest rates.
      • Crop failure due to droughts, floods, pest attacks, climate change.
      • Volatile market prices & inadequate MSP coverage.
      • Rising input costs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) vs. low crop prices.
    • Institutional factors:
      • Inadequate institutional credit penetration.
      • Insurance schemes (e.g., PMFBY) often fail to provide timely compensation.
      • Lack of effective extension services and support mechanisms.
    • Socio-Cultural Factors:
      • Pressure of family responsibilities, dowry, education expenses.
      • Lack of alternate employment opportunities in rural areas.
      • Social stigma of indebtedness causing psychological stress.
    • Policy and Structural Issues:
      • Skewed focus on cash crops (cotton, sugarcane): High risk of failure.
      • Poor irrigation coverage causing overdependence on monsoon.
      • Weak implementation of land reforms and marginalisation of small farmers.
  • Government Initiatives:
    • Credit & Debt Relief:
      • Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
      • Agricultural Debt Waiver & Debt Relief Scheme (2008).
      • Interest subvention schemes.
    • Insurance & Risk Mitigation:
      • Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY, 2016).
      • National Crop Insurance Programme.
    • Income & Support:
      • Minimum Support Price (MSP).
      • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).
      • Soil Health Card, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
    • Welfare Schemes: Atal Pension Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, National Social Assistance Programme.
  • Judicial & Committee Observations:
    • M.S. Swaminathan Committee (2006): Recommended MSP = C2 (comprehensive cost) + 50%.
    • Supreme Court (2017): Expressed concern over high farmer suicides; urged better credit and insurance coverage.
    • NCRB classification: Helps identify vulnerable states/districts for policy targeting.
  • Challenges in Addressing the Issue:
    • Debt waivers are short-term relief, not structural reform.
    • Insurance schemes face delays, low awareness, high premiums.
    • MSP benefits are concentrated in a few crops & states.
    • Mental health support in rural areas is negligible.
  • Way Forward:
    • Economic Support: Diversify cropping patterns, strengthen MSP coverage, promote Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
    • Institutional Credit: Expand cooperative and rural banking reach, reduce dependency on moneylenders.
    • Insurance Reform: Timely claim settlement, farmer-friendly premium structure.
    • Mental Health Services: Helplines, counselling, community-based support.
    • Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Drought-resistant seeds, micro-irrigation, watershed management.