About 3600 farmers have committed suicide in the past five years in India. Looking at the situation, a government panel opined that Indian government should revise its agricultural policy. The major cause behind this suicide is the farmers' inability to repay their debts. The National commission on Farmers said that farmers forced commit suicide points to a serious agrarian crisis which should be corrected immediately by the government. M.S. Swaminathan, head of the National commission, said that the time has come the government should focus on the well-being of women and men feeding the nation.
One of the major problems is that government determines the success of agricultural sector in terms of crop production. It does not bring the condition of the farmers into consideration. In addition,the economic reform that took place in the 1990’s, has worsened the condition of the farmers. Government removed the duties that protected farmers. Presently, 600 million people earn their livelihood through agriculture and it contributes to one fifth of India's GDP.
Looking at the present condition, government last month approved a financial aid of $3.7 billion.
Farming and agriculture is one of the major industries in all the countries of South Asia. It is true that India is turning into an industrialized country but that does not mean government should neglect the agricultural sector. Industry does not grow food for people; farmers do. It is a very good thing that Indian government has started providing financial relief to the poor farmers. The government should take such initiatives in future.
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