Farmer suicides

COMPARED to 10,281 in 2019, the National Crime Records Bureau puts at 10,677 the number of people engaged in the farm sector who died by suicide in 2020. Nearly half of the deaths were of agricultural labourers, an 18 per cent rise from the previous year. Maharashtra, with 4,006 suicides, continues to be the worst affected and Karnataka saw a 43 per cent increase, in a year when the farm sector was one of the few bright spots in the pandemic-hit economy. The report is silent on what leads to such deaths and no specific causes are indicated. Despite the lack of clarity on distinguishing farmer suicide from death by suicide over reasons that may not be directly related to the occupation, the numbers only reveal the extent of agrarian distress and its tragic manifestation.

Haryana recorded 280 such deaths, all by farm labourers. In Punjab, farm unions have rejected the findings that farm-related suicides have declined, down to 257 from 302 in 2019. They claim the figure would be much higher had there been due diligence in recording such deaths, and not attributing these to other reasons. Much of the argument rests on the findings of a survey by three universities of the state that involved collection of data from 2000 to 2016: a total of 16,606 farmers and agricultural labourers died by suicide. That comes to an average of 1,000 per year. A drastic reduction, the contention is, defies logic in the absence of any change in the underlying conditions.

Suicide is the ultimate sign of distress. Falling incomes and rising indebtedness are cited as trigger points, but such deaths can have complex causes. Preventing such extreme steps calls for an attitudinal change not only of the government, but also of those who care for farmers. That seeking mental healthcare is a sign of strength, and not weakness, needs to be driven home. Start an open conversation on mental health and end the lack of interest and intention in offering counselling. In 2014, 9.4 per cent of all national suicides were classified as farmer suicides. By 2018, it had fallen to 7.7 per cent. In 2020, it was 7 per cent. It’s a very long road ahead.