Climate change forcing Indian farmers to commit suicide
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Suicides in Bundelkhand as climate change and oppression push farmers to the brink
Awadhesh, 28, killed himself on the railway track along with his two daughters on 7 July 2007. He had taken a loan of Rs 2000 which mounted to Rs 10, 000 over a period of three years. He barely had enough to meet his ends and to repay such an enormous amount was beyond him. This is just one of the heart rending case. In Jalaun district alone over 24 farmers facing similar situation have met this fate between January and July this year. An investigation as part of ActionAid’s Hunger Monitoring project reveals that climate change and oppression in Uttar Pradesh have combined to worsen hunger and deprivation amongst some of this populous state's poorest citizens. “Many times we sleep at night after only drinking water,” says Munni Devi, 46, who works hard collecting dry grass to make rope which she sells for Rs.25. Women workers in the area get half the wages of men. The last four to five years have seen an accentuation of adverse weather conditions in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh with farmers hit by prolonged drought, floods, hailstorms and decrease in annual rainfall. The study, which involved in-depth discussions with residents of 13 villages in the region, shows that the second factor contributing to distress are oppressive social conditions. The administration is failing to provide protection from moneylenders and landlords or sufficient support for livelihoods. Climate change – farmers bear the brunt Climate change is a major concern among the villagers. The study points to significant changes in the weather pattern during the last four to five years which have adversely affected farming. “Compared to the situation 25-30 years ago, there has been a sharp decrease in rainfall in recent times,” said one villager interviewed. “Rains are now restricted to lesser number of days, also untimely rains have become common,” he added. The changing weather conditions demand timely interventions by the administration to create safeguards to protect farmers and ensure food security. This year, Jalaun district of Bundelkhand witnessed a hailstorm which blew away the harvested wheat of several farmers. Sudipta Kumar ActionAid’s regional manager for UP said the government response to the problems is far from adequate. “Addressing the farmer’s problem should be the top priority if Bundelkhand is to combat hunger and avoid further distress suicides," he said. Safety net full of holes Almost the entire Bundelkhand region except Jhansi is covered by the government’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme which aims not only to provide employment but to restore infrastructure in villages by undertaking water conservation, repair and upkeep of village tanks among other things. But so far, there are many blocks where not a single household has received 100 days of work or unemployment allowance. “When the scheme was launched, people hoped that it will bring some relief to their problems,” said Sanjay Singh of Paramarth, ActionAid’s local partner, “but either people have no job cards or no jobs.” Pointing out problems with implementation of the scheme Singh said: “Those who got job under the scheme barely had 20 days of work; even wages of many workers have not been paid for many months”. Where the administration could have stepped in to change things for the better they have failed miserably. Proper implementation of the employment guarantee scheme could do a lot to salvage the farmers’ situation. For more please click here |
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