Farming Gives Barakath

Muslim Murasu, May 2011

Two and half lakh farmers have committed suicide over the past 15 years due to loan problems. Agriculture columnist P. Sainath regrets that we have earned topmost place in entire human history in farmer suicides. Maharashtra, Andhra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chateesgarh, these five states have found place in suicide list. Even in Punjab that donated green revolution, poor farmers are perishing owing to loan problems. When harvest dwindles in the face of vagaries of the climate, farmer feels dejected and broken.
Four lakh crore rupees loan at rate of 5 percent interest has been handed out last year for seasonal crops. In the current year, 5 lakh crore rupees loan is ready. 30 crore youngsters are living in Indian villages. They come by as cinema aficionados and vagabonds with unaccomplished education. Prices of food products rise at the rate of 20 percent every year. Irrigation and land maintenance are not up to the mark.
Everyday 120 crore men and women go to bed without night meals. Each hour witnesses death of 1200 children because of malnourishment. 200 crore girls, children, look starved and emaciated.
In India, 7000 people die in poverty everyday. India is the second fastest growing economy in the world. Four international food conferences were held in past years with single-minded objective of eradicating hunger and poverty. Yet starvation deaths remain unchecked.
Ideas are given to increase utilization of technology. Ground situation is not brought out. Agriculture interest was neglected and buried. Lapses and improprieties are rife in the distribution of agricultural loans. Elections in cooperative societies are conducted with the help of police. Only candidates with economic clout and caste influence can win. Farmers who came to urban areas to survive became rich and wealthier. But they did not show interest in the development of village. Liquor revenues from villages are continually increasing year on year. Fresh field study is needed. Agriculture experts, columnists and higher officers are concealing the ground realities. To do farming or herding cows is considered a disgraceful job. To wear pants, go to office, earn monthly salary, acquire English education is considered worthy. Farmer considers occupying bus stand or pedestrian footpaths and doing small business as profiting venture. What is needed is to push the people back into farming jobs. The job that yields food is marvelous, sacred and will please God. This advice should continue and there will be change in the situation for the better.