Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Farmers' woes

The moving account of the day-to-day problems of farmers' families in Vidharbha ("In Yavatmal, life goes on," June 13) belies all hopes of economic prosperity in the near future. In a populous country like ours, where agriculture is the mainstay, it would be absurd to think of evolving a sound economy unless the government wakes up from its slumber and addresses the dismal agrarian crisis.

Arun Dash,
Hyderabad

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The article reveals two things. One, sanction of loans without arranging other linkages needed for the production process will only result in a debt trap. And two, despite the existence of agriculture expertise, research, and advanced technology, there is a wide gap between lab and land. The benefits do not percolate to the target group.

V. Rengarajan,
Chennai

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The reasons for poor agricultural growth and farmers' suicides are many. The need of the hour is to evolve some practical, viable solutions for the agrarian crisis that is sweeping the country. The government should make use of the services of village sarpanchs and panchayat members to collect information on the cause and magnitude of suicides. Many studies have shown that farmers' descendants do not wish to continue with farming. It is therefore for governments to encourage agriculture graduates to take up farming as an occupation.

Sukhwinder Singh,
Ludhiana

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