Pandemic may have curbed fear of loan burden

MUMBAI: Of 1,074 farmer suicides till June this year, most cases were in June during the lockdown. Collapse of the supply chain resulted in a price crash in wholesale markets. However, government procurement for crops like cotton was the highest in the last decade.
Despite the lockdown, the farmer figures are lower than last year when 1,336 cases were reported during the same period. In 2019, Marathwadahad reported a rain deficit and then there were floods in Western Maharashtra which destroyed large tracts of crop.
“The low-profile marriage season in this pandemic year may have reduced spending pressure on farmers. In summer months, marriages are a key reason for rise in indebtedness,” said Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti. “This year, many chose to postpone marriages or hold very small functions.”
However, he added that the real challenge this year will be after the kharif harvest. “Many farmers did not get crop loans and borrowed for the kharif crop. They have pinned hopes on its success,” said Tiwari. “The agrarian crisis cannot be resolved until there is control on prices of agricultural inputs and farmers get a better price for their produce. The availability of crop loans is vital.”
Farmer leader Vijay Jawandhia from Vidarbha feels that the fear of the pandemic kept the pressure of indebtedness at bay.
Ajit Navale from the Kisan Sabha said so far this year, farmers had been spared a major pest attack. “Also, fruit and vegetable farmers generally come from the irrigated belt. They suffered the most in the pandemic, but also tend to be better off than dry-land farmers,” said Navale.