18 August, New Delhi: At least 34 farmers have committed suicide during the last eight days in India’s western state of Maharashtra as per an official report, India’s state-run broadcaster All India Radio reported on Thursday.
The deaths were recorded by the local authorities in the state’s eight districts of Marathwada region from Aug. 6 to Aug. 13.
According to officials until now the region has witnessed below-average rainfall this monsoon, thereby posing a threat to kharif crops (monsoon crops) because of the ongoing dry spell.
Reports said since the beginning of this year, so far around 580 farmer suicides have been reported in Marathwada.
The farmers are demanding crop loan waivers and compensation.
Last week, a huge protest rally hit India’s financial capital Mumbai, with protesters demanding quotas (reservation) for Marathas in government jobs and educational institutions, amendments to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe Acts and farm loan waivers.
The Maratha community constitutes one third of Mahrashtra’s population and the majority of them are dependent on farming for making their ends meet.
Agriculture has suffered a huge set back in recent years in India due to unfavourable weather conditions (drought and flooding).
Climate change has caused more than 59,000 suicides in India over the past three decades, a research study published by the University of California, Berkeley last week said.
With Indian farming in crisis, people associated with it are forced to look for other means of livelihood. Xinhua
