As per the report, between 2013 to 2018, total 13,365 farmers had committed suicides and out of it, 23% of the farmers belong to the Maratha community
The Backward Class Commission report, which was recently submitted to the Maharashtra government, revealed the grim picture of the agriculture sector in the state. As per the report, between 2013 to 2018, total 13,365 farmers had committed suicides and out of it, 23% of the farmers belong to the Maratha community.
The Backward Class Commission headed by retired justice MG Gaikwad received total 1.95 lakh applications in its ten months of commission duration. Out of it, only 85 applications asked the commission not to extend any reservations to Maratha community while 1,724 application asked to give reservations to Maratha but not to disturb the existing communities reservations in OBC. In Maratha community, most of the students and professionals and people who are in government services batted for reservations in large number.
According to the report, initially Marathas were holding a major chunk of the agricultural land in the state, however, generation after generations, the land parcel got divided among the family members. "Now, most of them are marginal farmers while some of them are also turned to be landless farmers. Earlier there were joint families, now the nuclear family concept is preferred among them. The erratic monsoon and rising debt are the major reasons behind the agrarian distress. Most of the families have to raise a loan for agriculture investment, marriages of children's, education, religious functions, festivals, health etc. If one season of crops gets failed, then they even unable to pay the interest of the raised loan amount," stated in the report.
The report further says that initially, farmers take the loan from the nationalised or cooperative banks. "Once they are a defaulter, these banks refuse to give them further loan. So these debt-ridden farmers had no options but to knock the door of private money lenders. They give money on high-interest rates to farmers. If farmers fail to pay on time, then private money lenders get mortgaged the farmers land and subsequently bought the land. In the survey, it was also found out that people are reluctant to give daughters to those who are engaged in farming. It is happening even though both families belong to the same community and caste and same profession -- agriculture. Once farmers are landless or they get the high debt, then due to social humiliation, they commit suicide," reads the report.
The report further pointed out that earlier, the community gave priority to agriculture, secondly to business and thirdly to government service. "Getting a job in government was the last option for them. It was not even prestigious for them to work in government as a servant. Government service was treated below the dignity. But now situations has drastically changed looking at the progress of backward communities, SC and ST communities. Now, Everyone wants to have government jobs. They feel it is safe and secure where we can get steady and high income. Therefore, they believe the reservations in education and jobs can give them their life back.
In the survey, it was also revealed that most of the farmers are doing farming by tradition way only. "The modern technology and equipment are hardly used. Besides, there is no guarantee of minimum support prices. The input cost had increased so farming is more expensive. Some time farmer does not even revive his invested amount. The farmers who cultivate the cash crops like cotton, sugar, grape etc also faces a huge problem when the market rates go down. Sometimes they also face difficulties to get the transport expenses also," reads the report. It further added that the supplementary business like animal husbandry and poultry business are also tough to run in slowing market for farmers.
The commission report reads that looking at the financial situations of the Maratha community, the government need to give them economic and educational benefits in government-run colleges, universities and jobs.
IN DISTRESS
As per the report, between 2013 to 2018, total 13,365 farmers had committed suicides in Maharashtra, and out of it, 23% of the farmers belong to the Maratha community
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