KALPETTA: “More than 80 per cent of the population in Wayanad is farmers. If somebody commits suicide, most probably he would be a farmer. He might have killed himself due to family issues but often it’s the media that stir up unwanted panic,” this was a senior politician of Wayanad commenting during the emergency meeting convened in the district collectorate a few days ago in the wake of farmer suicides.A multi-model intervention involving better financial planning, crop management techniques and counselling centres is the need of the hour, according to psychiatrist Dr Suresh Kumar. “Even after repeated crisis, it’s unfortunate that there are only two psychiatric clinics in Wayanad. “Urgent measures have to be mooted to begin counselling centres under each grama panchayat and referral unit in the district headquarters,” said Dr Suresh, who is also the former director of IMHANS (Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) Kozhikode, who has done studies regarding suicides in Wayanad.The Agriculture Department as well as the banking institutions should set up monitoring mechanism so as to ensure that loans and financial assistance meant for farming purposes are utilised accordingly. “This is essential to curb blade mafia menace. Also it could promote better investment in agriculture,” says M Prakash, assistant director, Dairy Development Department and an agriculture activist in Wayanad.“Almost all farmers divert a considerable portion of bank loans for other personal purposes. Later, they resort to loans from self-help groups like ‘Kudumbashree’ and ‘Ayalkoottam’ for further farming needs. In the mean time, expecting good revenue from the farm, they make certain improvements in their lifestyle. For repayment of loans from SHGs and for the final stage of farming, they borrow money from loaners at a high interest. Shortage of fertilisers, damage to crops and decline in yield along with pressure from loaners create mental stress. They become more alcoholic and cannot withstand even a slight insult to ego,” Prakash explains how farmers slip to debt, eventually ending their lives.From farmers’ point of view, declaring a moratorium on recovery measures may not be enough to solve the present crisis as farmers growing ginger in Karnataka have not taken loans from banks. “Majority of farmers have borrowed money fromloaners at high interest rates. The interest multiplies everyday and farmers begin to face threats from private financiers. They have to repay the debts and at the same time find money to meet their everyday needs. “The government should think of doing something to address that real problem. As an interim measure, the Agriculture Department should provide immediate financial assistance to the affected farmers,” said Dileep Raj, a farmer at Bathery.As long as farmers continue to take money at high interest rates and invest in single crop farming, problems will persist. “Authorities should promote multiple cropping and discourage single crop farming. They should ensure proper marketing facilities and provide market intelligence, regulate fertiliser prices, exploit the possibilities of dairy farming, pisci-culture and animal husbandry along with agriculture so that farmers can earn revenue from multiple sources and undertake paddy procurement from Wayanad,” Prakash said.
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