The Hindu Business Line : `Strong extension, subsidy can temper agrarian crisis'

Mumbai March 20 A morbid combination of omissions and commissions that includes complete breakdown of the extension system coupled with extremely tardy or worse, near-total lack of communication about the Government's various schemes, absence of timely professional advice on agronomic practices and market trends, and continued mismatch between farming costs and returns to the detriment of the growers have driven scores of farmers to resort to suicide.

The absence of social and financial safety net has often lured vulnerable growers into alcoholism with consequential heavy toll on both physical and financial health as also on family harmony.

These are major findings contained in a report "Farmers Suicide - Facts and Possible Policy Interventions" published by Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA).

Between 2001 and 2005, not less than 399 cases of farmer suicides were reported to the district administration at Maharashtra's Yavatmal, a district that is largely perceived to be worst affected by farmer suicides.

Based on extensive desk research and large number of case studies, the authors, Ms Meeta and Mr Rajivlochan, have made a strong pitch for taking a comprehensive or holistic view of the ongoing agrarian crisis with a view to providing financial, social and moral support to vulnerable sections of the rural farming community.

Recommending a 10-point programme that includes frequent physical interaction between Government functionaries and farmer groups; vigorous implementation of protective laws relating to minimum wages, money lending and so on; and making agricultural extension and other services relating to health and education more vibrant, the book urges policymakers to bestow greater attention to agriculture related issues including input supplies and markets.

Arguing strongly in favour of granting direct subsidy to the farmer, the authors - Ms Meeta is a civil servant based in Pune, while Mr Rajivlochan is with the Department of History at Panjab University, Chandigarh - assert that a payment of say Rs 5,000 per hectare would go a long way in meeting the social and occupational needs of the small farmer as well as demonstrate that the Government and the society at large do care for him.

Interestingly, direct subsidy will allow policymakers to actually influence the type of crops to be sown and cropping pattern. Even in developed economies such as the US and European countries where less than 3 per cent of the population is engaged in agriculture, Governments routinely pump in huge amounts (running to tens of billions of dollars, if not more) as direct support to farmers.

The authors have long experience in the field of rural development and community empowerment; and their recommendations deserve serious consideration.

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