Farmer ends life over crop loss

Bargarh: A 25-year-old farmer committed suicide on Wednesday allegedly over crop failure at Chhuriapali village under Sohela block in the district.

Khusiram Pradhan was found hanging from a tree on the outskirts of the village. Police seized a hand written suicide note from the spot and started investigation.

Pradhan had grown paddy in two acres of land and pulses in one acre. The crops were in good condition and were expected to give bumper harvest. However, heavy rains accompanied by hailstorm on February 26 damaged the standing crops.

Being frustrated over the massive loss, the young farmer took the extreme step, sources said.

Similarly, another peasant, Kalia Bhuyan, of Chhatrapur area in Ganjam district died yesterday. He had consumed poison on February 5 over similar reason and was undergoing treatment at MKCG medical college and Hospital in Berhapur.

Bhuyan had cultivated four acres of land this year for which he had taken loans from banks. However, due to lack of irrigation facilities, his crops were damaged.