India - an agricultural land has miserably failed to contribute to farmers its worth, and this is conspicuous with the vehement increase in number of farmer suicides every year. National Crime Reports Bureau (NCRB) reports 2,50,000 farmers took their lives from 1997-2012. And in last four years, 48,000 farmers committed suicide owing to losses and indebtedness. A lot has been done while bringing the topic in public gaze so that government could stimulate ideal policies with full course attention to land reforms and other agricultural fronts; but a fractured modus operandi doesn't seem to shelter their livelihood.
Back in 1951, the agricultural sector used to contribute 51 percent to total GDP in India, but currently, the figure stands at 13.9 percent. Perhaps the growth in industrial sector has preliminary impact that might lead to the consequences of dwindled agriculture in India. But one can also comment the growth in the industrial sector which had to shoulder the responsibility of many in the agricultural sector, has also declined to null. This also emerges an important reason expressing worry!
Speaking broadly, the wages of any farmer does categorically alarm them of their poor and disturbed state. Around 67% of farmers function on the land less than 1 hectare according to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) that contributes to their monthly wage to Rs 1308 per month while their expenditure for household is clearly Rs 5400 per month. Gradually, they have to be dependent on other avenues. So starting from the foremost, there must be a suitable way that could meet the challenge of their monthly wage by allowing them a hand in the further procedure of delivering the food to requisite agents. Besides this, government meeting the concern by providing 30 million energy saving pump sets under the scheme of energy efficient irrigation is of no use till they get what is in their bucket list.
In the wake of gruesome issue like farmer suicide, government doesn't seem to be in a mood to acknowledge grassroots. The big banner displaying the reason as indebtedness, which can be resolved explicitly by remission, government appears to be straightforwardly reluctant. They persist in efforts by imparting the latest techno oriented accessories to them devoid taking any notes at their basic living and basic problems.
It's like offering some one shelter when they don't have even clothes to wear.
Moreover, with the adequate - Pradhan Mantri fasal bima yojana; Blue Revolution; Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana - the major focus on another weak aspect doesn't stand. Increasing the wages of farmers is more or less, in BJP manifesto since 2014 but isn't yet an accomplishment. This does not mean that there should be a ticket system wherein farmers must be asked to participate. But a gradual genuine procedure where their efforts are acknowledged must be undertaken. Farming includes a long procedure and is not assumed to be completed until the vendor gets his share of matter. So, their involvement besides in the field to its further modification must be made mandatory, that further could play an important role in wage hikes. |
