Telangana Farmer Suicides are Increasing Despite State Government’s Farmer-Friendly Policies

Telangana farmers suicided are not showing signs of decline, though the state government has been hailed for the implementation of farmer-friendly policies. In the last six months, the state witnessed 85 farmer suicides, according to a new study. 

A study was carried out by Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV), farmers right organization works in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh which reported suicide figures from January to June in 2020. 

Telangana has third-highest farmer suicides in the country. The state is yet to release the latest data regarding the suicides. 

With 15 deaths Nalgonda has the highest deaths, followed by Medak with 12, Sangareddy, JS Bhupalapally, and Adilabad along with other districts. The study points out several reasons behind the suicide decision by the farmers, crop losses, debts and depression are primary. 

Bushigampala Biksham of Kanagal; Valisetti Nagamma, Shaligouraram’s farmer, Repaka Chandraiah, and several others in Nalgonda district all suffered heavy debts as a result of cotton crop failure.  

Kasugula Yaddaiah of Munugode ended his life as he failed to get a proper yield of cotton in as many as seven acres after taking debts from local financiers, the report said.

Farmers are taking extreme decisions due to small problems like borewells fails which is forcing them into debts. Husnabad farmer Vemuganti Das ended his life after over spending money to repair his bore-motor. 

Nine farmers committed suicide in Siddipet district in Siddipet District from where CM K Chandrashekar Rao. KCR recently urged farmers to increase cotton plantation in the state to 70 lah acres. Suicide rates in cotton farmers are increasing which is going unnoticed. 

“More suicides are happening among cotton farmers than what is recorded. It is high time the government should reconsider its recent decision to encourage cotton cultivation en masse; as it would further push the farmers into trouble,” said Kondal Reddy, Secretary of RSV to the News Minute. 

Telangana has 15 lakh tenant farmers who are not able to get any assistance from the government. The state government should now focus their schemes on tenants also to help them get support. 

"Government Order 194, which guarantees instant compensation to the victim’s family, is not being implemented. While farmers who own land are being compensated under Rythu Bhima (Farmer Insurance) scheme, tenant farmers are not getting any help,” he added.