The Hindu Business Line : Mere loans not enough

I refer to the report “Story of change: Philanthropist sends cheque to farmer” (Business Line, December 13). Bheemrao Manigempure represents the majority of small farmers, a large number of whom has taken their lives due to economic distress. Mr Manigempure’s case should be one which the government should take up for deciding what should be done to improve the lot of the farmers.

The governments’ method of distribution of loans is to disburse amounts on a certain criteria which in most cases will not be enough to meet the minimum requirements of the loanee.

In the case of Mr Manigempure, the pressing need was also to dig a bore-well for irrigating the fields. He was paid a subsidy of Rs 10,000 and Rs 18,000 as loan for purchase of bullocks. But the huge expenditure of Rs one lakh for digging the bore-well remained while the loan-repayment added to his misery.

The assistance by loan or loan cum subsidy should have been for the entire cost of digging the borewell also which would have helped him in enhancing the produce from the field and meeting the demands of loan repayment. The government merely allocating a certain amount for agricultural loans and subsidies and distributing it on a certain criteria will not solve the problems of the farmers.

The programme should envisage the study of the total requirements of each farmer and meet them fully, instead of making small payments. Mr Manigempure’s case should open the eyes of the state and central government’s to plan what should be done to relieve the farmers’ distress and enhance agricultural production.

T. R. Anandan Coimbatore

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