FARMER SUICIDES IN VIDARBHA

Three more farmer suicides in Vidarbha

Three more cotton farmers in Vidarbha have committed suicide in the region over the last two days.

According to reports, all three victims ended their lives when their newly sown seeds were washed away by heavy rains.

The victims were identified as Santosh Ramkrishna Sidam, 34, of Mangi village, Anil Marape, 38, of Thanegaon while 60-year- old Charan Singh Rathod was from Parsode in Amravati district, the reports said.

Kishore Tiwari, president of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti said that all three farmers killed themselves by consuming pesticides when they realised that they would not be able to regenerate their funds following the destruction of their crops.

He said the fact that farmers have to buy new seeds every year, the costly use of genetic manufactured (GM) seeds, the use of pesticides and a reduction in crop value have often left farmers bankrupt.

Many farmers are now falling into an endless cycle of debts, depression and despair.

The washing way of their crop was a big blow for them.

Tiwari urged the government to assure farmers that it would provide new loans immediately, to help them in the wake of a flood-like situation in Vidarbha and help the needy farmers.

With these three deaths, the toll has risen to 32 this month. Last month accounted for 69 deaths.