In an effort to incorporate and inspire more voices to engage in research, Democracy & Society participated with various esteemed institutions to publish an excellent piece from one of the competition winners. We are excited to share this piece, by Rudransh Singh Palta, which examines farmer suicides in India.

Introduction

In India’s rural areas, where over 60% of the population makes their living from agriculture, there has been a startling rise in farmer suicides. The total number of farmer suicides has dramatically grown from 10,281 to 11,290 in just three years. This crisis is further escalated by the terrible case of Dashrath Lakshman Kedari. In Pune district, Maharashtra, Kedari’s suicide due to financial hardships & lack of support epitomizes the struggles faced by many farmers in the nation.[1] Shockingly, between 2014 & 2022, the farming sector witnessed 100,474 suicides,[2] averaging nearly 30 deaths daily . This alarming crisis demands urgent attention & thorough analysis.

Causes

Debt plays a major role in India’s farmer crisis. According to economist Panagariya, high debt[3] reliance on informal loans is the primary driver of farmer suicides. Punjab Agriculture [4] University reports that debt accounts for 88% of farmer suicides in Punjab. Economists like Utsa Patnaik, Jayati Ghosh, & Prabhat Patnaik have also cited structural changes in India’s macroeconomic policies, such as privatization, liberalization, & globalization, as primary[6] causes_[5]. Business economists dispute this view.[7] Genetically modified (GM) crops, especially Bt cotton, worsen the farmer crisis in India.[8] According to activists & studies, Bt cotton’s high cost doubles input expenses, forcing farmers[9] into larger loans with exorbitant interest rates (60% a year). This leads to more suicides. Moreover, India’s heavy reliance on monsoon rains for farming also makes droughts a deadly[10, 11] threat, as 79.5% of farmland depends on monsoon rainfall. Insufficient rainfall leads to crop losses, livestock fodder scarcity, & worsening financial distress for farmers, contributing to [12] increased suicide rates.

Additionally, Economist Patel notes a tenfold higher suicide rate in southern Indian states compared to some northern ones, not due to misclassification. South India’s common causes include interpersonal conflicts, financial struggles, & pre-existing mental illness. Patel suggests[13] higher rates in the south may stem from social acceptance of suicide as a coping mechanism.

Other contributors include inadequate healthcare, mental health issues, expensive pesticides, land tenure insecurity, market volatility, & social marginalization. According to our analysis, debt remains the most significant cause of farmer suicides in India due to its widespread prevalence & multifaceted negative consequences on farmers’ well-being.

Consequences

The consequences of farmer suicides on individuals are profound, especially in terms of mental health. Debt often triggers depression & anxiety among farmers, with indebted individuals[14] experiencing nearly double the rates of depression, as per The Lancet Psychiatry. Social stigma exacerbates this mental anguish, as revealed in interviews with farmers from Jaipur, Rajasthan. Geeta, a widow from Jaipur, shared her heartbreaking experience, stating, “After my husband took his life, I lost not just him but also our social standing. People treat us differently now”. The resulting isolation & marginalization worsen emotional distress for surviving family[15] members. Moreover, the loss of the primary breadwinner, as seen in Geeta’s case, deepens financial struggles within rural communities. Around 60% of surviving family members endure[16] prolonged grief & trauma, perpetuating suicidal thoughts. Farmer suicides in India have profound local socio-economic impacts. They contribute to economic instability & poverty, notably in agrarian regions. Research links increased suicide[17] rates to declining agricultural productivity & household incomes, worsening poverty.

Secondly, farmer suicides can incite social unrest & political tensions, prompting protests for [18] government intervention. Furthermore, they disrupt traditional agricultural practices & knowledge systems, diminishing agricultural diversity & sustainable land management. This loss of experienced farmers not only affects productivity but also erodes cultural heritage & indigenous knowledge crucial for sustainable farming. Amid these consequences, the disruption of traditional agricultural practices stands out. While economic challenges are evident, the loss of experienced farmers & erosion of traditional knowledge poses long-term threats to agricultural sustainability & cultural heritage, hindering future resilience within rural communities. Moving on, farmer suicides pose a significant obstacle to national agricultural growth & [19]development, as indicated by reports from agricultural research institutes. These reports underscore the negative impact of farmer distress on agricultural productivity & land utilization[20] patterns. Additionally, research conducted by food security experts highlights the vulnerability of farming communities to external shocks like climate change & market fluctuations, exacerbating existing challenges related to food access & nutrition. The persistence of farmer suicides highlights the urgent necessity for comprehensive agricultural policies[21] and support systems, emphasized in governmental reports, demanding collaborative efforts among stakeholders to formulate effective strategies for mitigating farmer suicides & fostering resilient farming communities. The biggest effects of farmer suicides are seen in food security and rural livelihoods since they affect not only the accessibility & availability of food but also the livelihoods of those who work in agriculture, especially in areas where small-scale farming plays a major role in the economy.

Moreover, the issue of farmer suicides reflects broader concerns of economic inequality & social justice globally. Scholars link farmer distress to systemic injustices perpetrated by neoliberal[22], policies & corporate interests, highlighting disparities between rural & urban populations[23]. India’s significant role as a major agricultural producer & exporter means disruptions caused[24] by farmer distress can impact global food prices & trade dynamics  . International trade organizations stress sustainable sourcing practices to address root causes & promote social[25] responsibility. Investigative reports highlight the adverse effects of corporate monopolies on smallholder farmers, advocating for greater transparency & regulation of multinational[26] corporations. Farmer suicides serve as a reminder of global economic inequities, urging systemic reforms to promote social justice worldwide. The most significant consequence appears to be the reflection of broader issues of economic inequality & social justice, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms to address disparities globally.

Course of action

The crisis of farmer suicides in India calls for an innovative solution. Current policies like loan waivers & crop insurance schemes offer only temporary relief, failing to address the root causes. Loan waivers, frequently employed by the government, create moral hazard & overlook debt[27] vulnerabilities. Similarly, schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)[28] provide financial protection but suffer from low penetration rates & procedural delays. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) program aims to ensure minimum income but faces procurement [29] limitations, leaving farmers susceptible to market fluctuations. Despite providing some support, budget constraints, bureaucratic hurdles, & a lack of long-term planning limit their effectiveness.

A more sustainable approach could lie in international collaboration, where India might establish the “Sahayog Krishi Samriddhi” (SKS) as a prospective foreign policy initiative. SKS, translating to “Collaborative Agriculture Prosperity,” signifies a firm resolve to potentially empower Indian farmers & achieve a more prosperous & sustainable agricultural future. This initiative could prioritize long-term solutions by fostering collaboration in research & development, particularly focusing on areas like drought-resistant crops, water-efficient irrigation, & soil health management. By partnering with developed nations, SKS could facilitate technology transfer, providing access to affordable farm technologies for small-scale farmers.

Additionally, it could offer training programs on sustainable farming practices, financial literacy, & market access, pivotal for capacity building. This network-based approach might ensure cost-effectiveness by leveraging international expertise & resources, empowering farmers to adapt & manage their resources effectively. Commencing as a pilot program, its success stories could potentially drive gradual expansion, ensuring broader reach & impact.

By potentially empowering farmers through enhanced productivity, market access strategies, & resilience-building initiatives, SKS could directly tackle the root causes of farmer suicides, such as debt burden & environmental stressors, while also potentially mitigating their consequences by preserving & transmitting valuable agricultural knowledge to future generations. Compared to existing policies, SKS could offer a more comprehensive & sustainable approach. Unlike loan waivers, it could focus on preventing debt burden through productivity improvements & market access. Additionally, SKS might promote resilience through the adoption of drought-resistant crops & improved water management, thereby potentially reducing reliance on insurance alone. While MSPs provide support, SKS could potentially empower farmers through better market knowledge & access.

The implementation of SKS may encounter challenges such as logistical issues, financial constraints, political resistance, cultural & linguistic differences, technology limitations, & ensuring long-term commitment. Strategies to address these challenges will involve establishing clear communication channels, developing sustainable funding models, undertaking robust advocacy efforts, providing cultural sensitivity training, prioritizing capacity-building programs, & developing comprehensive sustainability plans. Additionally, while the SKS initiative shows promise in tackling farmer suicides through international collaboration & comprehensive support, it may also lead to unintended consequences like dependence on foreign aid, resource disparities, & environmental impacts. Thus, rigorous monitoring is vital to track progress, identify issues, make adjustments, & focus on capacity building.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) would be responsible for[30] establishing SKS & collaborating with foreign entities. Seed funding can come from the Indian government, international development agencies, & private sector partners committed to sustainable agriculture. Overall, this foreign policy leverages existing resources & expertise from international partners, & minimizes the financial burden on the Indian government.

Conclusion

The idea of this issue sparked in my mind, particularly after watching the film “Jawan” in 2023, which vividly portrayed the plight of farmers. Studies show farmer suicides are a global phenomenon, plaguing countries like Sri Lanka & the US. This trend, fueled by economic hardship & environmental stress, threatens global food security & rural livelihoods. The SKS initiative, with its focus on knowledge sharing & sustainable practices, offers a potential path towards a future where farmers can thrive, not just in India, but worldwide.

Rudransh Singh Palta is a junior student at Jayshree Periwal International School, located in Jaipur, India. He is deeply passionate about astronomy, astrophysics, and computer science, aiming to pursue these fields at a higher level. Rudransh has been recognized for his research on the advanced prediction of disruptive instabilities in fusion reactors and his efforts in increasing STEM education accessibility through his initiative, STEMCast. He is also actively involved in several research internships and has received accolades, including the Gold Honour in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. Beyond academics, Rudransh enjoys playing badminton, a sport he has been dedicated to for over a decade.

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