Sonepur: A young farmer hailing from Chulimal village under Bhandar Panchayat in Sonepur district has allegedly committed suicide over inability to repay his loans after suffering crop loss due to Chakada (Brown Planthopper) infestation.
According to sources, one Mohan Kalata had sown Kharif paddy over 5 acres of land last season but his crops was destroyed due to Chakada pests. With no yield and no money in hand, the farmer was unable to repay his loan and was under severe mental stress.
The farmer was taken to Barpali hospital yesterday after he drank pesticide. As his health condition deteriorated, he was shifted to V.S.S. Medical College and Hospital in Burla for further treatment. He reportedly lost his life during the treatment.
"He had sown 5 acres of land and the crops were destroyed due to Chakada pests. The lenders constantly asked him to repay. There was a lot of risk and pressure which forced him to take his life," said, Gajapati Kalata, father of Mohan Kalata.
Likewise, another relative of the deceased farmer, Suresh Kalata informed that Mohan had repeatedly seeked compensation after suffering crop loss due to Chakada infestation. "As he did not receive any financial assistance on time, he committed suicide," he said.