Damage of crops, yet another suicide due to debt trap; farmers receiving meagre compensation

Tuesday 12 April, 2022 | 12:27 AM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The suicide of a farmer in Alappuzha has once again proved that compensation schemes are inadequate to save farmers from debt traps. Untimely disbursement of the appropriate amount also puts farmers in crisis in the event of widespread crop failure. They don't even get the crop insurance amount on time.

The suicide of Thiruvalla Niranam native Rajeevan, who had been cultivating paddy on seven acres of leased land for years is the latest in a series of farmer suicides.

The summer rains of the past few days have deceived the farmers who were hoping to make up for the severe losses caused by the months-long rains last year. With this, the farmers who had taken loans, are facing a severe financial crisis. Not even one-tenth of the amount spent on farming is received as compensation.

Compensation is negligible

Several farmers are driven to suicide as the compensation they receive is negligible in case of damage to crops. Those who registered for crop insurance for 25 cents paddy get Rs 15,000 to Rs 35,000. The amount that a farmer gets as natural disaster relief is a mere Rs 5400. Those who do not have crop insurance will get only Rs. 5400 in total. It's not even a tenth of the total cost.

21 suicides following 2018 floods

21 farmers have committed suicide in the state following the devastating floods of 2018. Nine farmers each committed suicide in Idukki and Wayanad. Two committed suicide in Kannur and one in Kasaragod.

10 days, loss of Rs 261.9 crore

During the last ten days, 11,109 hectares of crops were destroyed by the rains. The hopes of 52,361 farmers were dashed.

Crop insurance is meagre