FARM SUICIDES

Anita sends along a link to this heartbreaking story from the NYT on Indian farmers squeezed by debt and drought and committing suicide out of desparation:

In the past six years, 2,000 to 3,000 farmers (the state has not compiled an official tally) are believed to have committed suicide in this state, Andhra Pradesh, many of them in this arid district. Fifty to 100 have killed themselves since a new state government took office in mid-May, promising farmers relief.

A help line set up by the government on May 22 had already logged more than 800 calls a week later. Close to half were from this district, most of them fielded by Ms. Pramila.

The template of the calls — dry land and crushing debt — never varied, nor did their desperate tone.

Nine wells failed on 10 acres owned by a farmer named Umapatty, and he owed $4,400 to banks and moneylenders. J. Narayanappa had two dry wells on 20 acres, and owed $5,777. Ms. Pramila took down the details, and promised that an official would follow up.

Most of the suicidal farmers have swallowed pesticides, the easiest killer at hand. Burdened by compound interest, they compound tragedy, leaving families their debts, and depriving them of fathers, husbands and breadwinners.

The Times argues that the farmers are feeling the effects of government attempts to reduce subsidies to agriculture.