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Scientists suggest steps to curb farmers' suicides

By S. Harpal Singh

ADILABAD, JUNE 5. With farmers' suicides jolting the conscience of the society at large, suggestions on ways to curb the heartrending incidents are pouring in from relevant quarters. Agriculture scientists at Adilabad, who want to remain unnamed, come up with some ideas based on the studies done in the wake of cotton farmers' suicides of the same proportion during 1984-85 following rampant white fly disease. Among the important suggestions that emerged from one such study done by the CICR, Coimbatore in 1989-90 was the concept of contract farming, stopping businessmen involved in sale of seeds, pesticides and fertilizers from acting as extension personnel and invigorating the agriculture department's field staff.

In 2002, the Cotton Corporation of India, Aventis (input manufacturer) under the supervision of Agriculture Research Station, Adilabad undertook contract farming at Taroda village of Jainad and Jamidi village of Tamis mandal. Aventis supplied cottonseed and inputs and the CCI purchased the produce directly from the farmers. This experiment not only eased the burden of seed and input selection on the farmer but farmers at Taroda saved Rs. 19 lakhs.

There are 50 cotton ginning and pressing mills, 20 oil seed crushing units and three soyabean solvent plants in Adilabad which could forge such a partnership with the local farmers.

"Establishment of a special bazaar for shops dealing in agriculture seeds and inputs at the mandal level would make way for the agriculture department to exercise better control over dealers. The department personnel can give advice to farmers on selection of seeds and inputs instead of the shopkeeper influencing the selection," a scientist pointed out.

"The 400 Multi Purpose Agriculture Extension Officers in Adilabad district should be made to monitor the cultivation within their respective jurisdiction area of 1,000 hectares. As far as agriculture in this area is concerned, the MPEO should advise the farmers on selection of suitable input as well the correct dose besides the micro and macro nutrients for the plants," suggested another scientist.

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