PM's Relief Package Fails To Curb Farmer Suicides

In what can be termed as a case of too little, too late, the Rs 3,750 crore relief package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his recent visit to the Vidarbha region of western Maharashtra has failed to bring any immediate relief to the cotton farmers as suicides continue.

Recurrent droughts, crop failure, rising debts and falling prices have been the major reasons behind the alarming spurt in farmer suicides. It took over 600 farmer suicides to attract the Central Government's attention in the first place.

The Prime Minister had ordered a waiver of interest payments to state-owned banks. But activists say that the main are of concern was the issue of private money lenders which is used by more than 90 % of farmers. Some moneylenders including politicians and businessmen allegedly charge up to 120 % annual interest from farmers.

Activists have also blamed the high cost of genetically modified seeds for adding to farmer's problems. Supreme Court had last month backed investigators who said US biotech giant Monsanto charged too much for cotton seed and had to cut prices.

According to observers, the problem is not only the debt burden but also fair price for their produce. The vegetables sold in the urban markets are exorbitant yet the farmer gets a pittance and while the middlemen make money, the farmers do not get fair price for their produce.