(a) whether the cases of suicide by farmers are increasing rapidly in various parts of
the country, particularly in Vidarbha region, despite the rehabilitation package;
(b) if so, the number of such cases reported during the last three years and this year so
far, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has identified the reasons for the same;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the corrective steps taken by the Government to remedy the situation?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 39 DUE FOR REPLY ON 13TH AUGUST,
2007.
(a) & (b): A statement based on the information furnished by the State Governments
on suicide by farmers is annexed.
(c) & (d): State Government have broadly identified the following reasons for
farmers` suicide:
# Crop failure
# Indebtedness
# Drought
# Social and Economic insecurity
(e): A Special Rehabilitation Package has already been launched by Government of
India for 31 Districts, from where high number of farmers` suicide, was reported. These
districts are in four States of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. The
package is being implemented over a period of 3 years and includes both immediate and
medium term measures. The Package involves a total amount of Rs.16978.69 crore.
Besides, the Government has taken a number of initiatives to alleviate the
problems of the farmers including small and marginal farmers. These, inter-alia, include
the announcement of a credit policy in the year 2004 to increase the flow of Institutional
credit to the Agriculture Sector. From Kharif 2006-07, farmers are being provided crop
loan up to Rs.3 lakh at reduced rate of 7% per annum. For the smaller borrowers who
may not have the necessary assets as collateral, the banks have been advised to waive
margin/security requirements for agricultural loans up to Rs.50000/-. The Government
has also announced a package for revival of cooperative credit structure. A major effort
has been initiated for diversification of agriculture. National Horticulture Mission has
been launched since the year 2005 for ensuring end-to-end approach with backward and
forward linkages covering research, post harvest management, processing and marketing.
Other initiatives taken by Government include expanding the area under irrigation,
improved water management with watershed development and rain water harvesting and
establishment of National Rain-fed Area Authority