2 more farmers end lives in Bargarh due to crop loss  

BARGARH: Two more farmers committed suicide due to crop loss and pest attack in Bargarh district on Sunday. Farmer P Navin Kumar (31) of Nua Khairpali village under Attabira block in the district, who had allegedly attempted suicide by consuming pesticide after crop loss due to brown plant hopper (BPH) pest attack, died at VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla on Sunday.

In another incident, a farmer identified as Bhakta Charan Bhue (35) of Pankipali village under Melchhamunda police limits in Sohlea block of the district, allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison on Sunday after crop loss due to scanty rainfall.

Reports said Navin was found lying in a critical condition in the cattle shed near  his house on Saturday morning. He was rushed to Community Health Centre, Attabira and later shifted to VIMSAR. However, he succumbed while undergoing treatment at VIMSAR early on Sunday.

Navin had cultivated paddy over 15 acres. He owned 3 acres and had taken 12 acres on lease for paddy cultivation. He had taken loan of `1.25 lakh from a nationalised bank at Attabira besides private loan to undertake cultivation. But, the standing paddy crop got damaged due to BPH pest attack.  The family members said Navin was under stress following crop loss and loan burden.

A team of agriculture officials, led by Assistant Agriculture Officer, Attabira, Pramodini Pradhan visited the paddy field of Navin to ascertain the ground realities.  

District Collector, Bargarh, Khagendra Padhi said the Attabira Tehsildar had gone to the village after the district administration came to know that a farmer had consumed pesticide and provided assistance to shift the farmer to VIMSAR.  He also said it is not a case of farmer suicide due to crop loss. There are other reasons behind the incident and the police are inquiring into it, he added.

Tehsildar, Attabira, Daulat Chandrakar, who visited the house of the deceased farmer, said `10,000 has been given to the family from the Red Cross fund. This apart, `2,000 has also been given under the Harishchandra Yojana for the last rites. He said police are inquiring into the incident. They are also preparing a report on the incident and it will be submitted to the District Collector, he added.

Reports said Pankipali farmer Bhakta was found in a serious condition in the farm land, where he had undertaken paddy cultivation after taking the land on lease. Though he was rushed to Padampur Sub-Divisional Hospital, he was declared brought dead.

Bhakta was a share cropper and he had taken about two acres of land on lease for paddy cultivation. However, the paddy crop got damaged due to scanty rainfall with monsoon playing truant this year. The area comes under unirrigated belt of the district.  Bhakta’s family members said he was under mental pressure and alleged that he took the extreme step due to crop loss.

Sohela Tahasildar Arati Bhoi said the matter has already come to their notice. She has discussed it with the Additional Tehsildar, she added. With the death of Bhakta, the number of farmer suicides in the district rose to six in the last 12 days.