Some 20 chilli farmers had ended their lives in the last two months in Mahabubabad district alone unable to come out of the debt trap, claims a report. The condition of the families of the farmers who had committed suicide is so pathetic that they do not know what to do and where to go.
These facts came to light during the two day — March 12 and 13 — field visit by a team of activists from Rytu Swarajya Vedika (RSV) and Human Rights Forum (HRF). The team has met families of 12 farmers in Kesamudram, Mahabubabad, Dantalapally and Maripeda mandals and interacted with family members.
“Highest number of suicides took place at Mahabubabad and Kesamudram mandals. Three suicides each reported at Nellikuduru and Dornakal mandals whereas one suicide reported from Dantalapally and Maripeda mandals. Here several farmers turned towards commercial crops for the past few years. However the investment for crops like chilli will be around ₹1 lakh per acre in addition to lease amount. Farmers had committed suicide unable to digest the loss of crop due to heavy rains and black thrips,” B. Kondal Reddy, one of the team members who met the farmers, told The Hindu on Tuesday.
