No end of sufferings for farmers in Odisha, one more cultivator ends life

Gajapati: Despite the tall claims of Odisha government that several schemes have been launched to boost the agricultural sector, farmers' suffering continues unabated in the State with one more grower allegedly committing suicide in Sonepur district.

As per reports, a 25-year-old farmer Mohan Kalata of Chulimal village under Binika block in the district committed suicide by consuming pesticides due to alleged crop loss.

During the last Kharif season, Mohan had cultivated crops in around five acre of land after taking loan from some local moneylenders. However, he had to suffer crop loss due to ‘chakada’ pest attack. Unable to repay the loan, he was under mental stress and later committed suicide, alleged his family members.

“He had to suffer crop loss due to pest attack. He could not repay the loan amount taken for cultivation and so, took the step. He was my only son and the only bread winner of the family,” said Mohan’s father, Gajapati Kalata.

However, Binika Tehsildar Alekh Ghuta, who visited Mohan's house for an on-spot investigation along with the local additional agriculture officer and Inspector-in-charge of local police station, rejected the claim of Gajapati that Mohan committed suicide due to crop loss.

“During the investigation, we found that Mohan had given his land to sharecroppers and there were no documents to prove that he had taken loan from any source for agriculture purposes,” said Ghuta.

"Only a few days ago, Mohan got married to a woman who is five years elder to him. He might have committed suicide over some family dispute rather than any agriculture related issue,” the Tehsildar added.

On the other hand, it is alleged that all those welfare schemes of the Naveen government have failed to address the ordeal of farmers in the State and their plight continues.