Fear of crop loss, loan burden triggers farmer suicides as one more cultivator ends life

Bargarh: A young farmer of Podamuda village in the district who had allegedly consumed poison yesterday, lost his life today morning while undergoing treatment at Bargarh hospital.

A farmer named Baishnav Bhoi had reportedly borrowed money from local lenders for cultivating 4 acres of land, marriage and carrying out house construction works. But due to erratic monsoon rainfall and possible crop loss, he was under severe mental stress over repayment of his rising debt burden.

Family members of the deceased have alleged that he attempted suicide after suffering mental breakdown.

Baishnav was rushed to the hospital yesterday in critical condition by his family members but breathed his last while undergoing treatment.

Bargarh Police have registered an unnatural death case and sent the body to District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after receiving the post-mortem report, informed a police official.

"We are reeling under financial debt from several days. My son was troubled for the over rise in burden and scanty rainfall threatening crop loss was piling misery on him. We discussed about the issues at home yesterday night after which he went outside for defecation," said Minaketan Bhoi, Baishnav's father.

"When he didn't return after a long time, we went in search of him and found him lying unconscious on the farm land," added Minaketan.

It may be noted that though allegations of farmer suicide cases are on a rise in the State, the government continues to be on a denial mode stating that there has been no cases of farmer suicide due to crop loss or financial burden.

In a similar incident, a farmer in Balasore had allegedly committed suicide two days back by consuming pesticide due to crop loss and financial burden.