TV
In yet another grim reminder of the deepening agrarian crisis in Odisha, a farmer from Dandara village under Muribahal block in Bolangir district has allegedly died by suicide, reportedly driven by mounting debt and successive crop failures.
The deceased farmer, whose identity is being withheld pending official confirmation, was found lifeless in his crop field. According to family members, he had consumed poison after being unable to cope with the growing financial pressure stemming from unpaid agricultural loans and repeated crop losses.
A formal complaint has been lodged at the Bangomunda Police Station, where the family has alleged that crippling debt and economic hardship forced the farmer to take the drastic step.
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"Raj Kumar Patra committed suicide by consuming poison. His crops wilted due to lack of water. He came under huge pressure and died by consuming poison as he had taken loan," said Dibyasingh Patra, a relative of the deceased.
A Pattern of Distress
Local residents and farmer groups suggest this case is not an isolated one. "What happened today is heartbreaking, but sadly, not uncommon,” said a local villager.
Over the past few years, Bolangir district has witnessed a growing number of farmer suicides, with several cases linked to similar patterns of debt, and failed crops.
Official Response Awaited
While police have launched an investigation, the local administration has yet to release an official statement on the incident. Authorities are expected to examine the financial and personal background of the deceased to verify the exact cause of the suicide.
Farmer welfare activists and local leaders are calling for immediate intervention, including compensation to the family, mental health support for farmers, and comprehensive reforms in crop insurance and loan recovery practices.
As the agrarian crisis continues to cast a shadow over rural Odisha, this incident serves as a tragic wake-up call for policymakers to address the root causes of farmer distress and ensure long-term sustainability in the farming sector.
