Crop insurance must reach farmers, Chouhan says after suicides
By IANSWednesday, January 12, 2011
BHOPAL - Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Wednesday termed as unfortunate the six farmer suicides in a month in Madhya Pradesh, and said he would make sure the benefits of crop insurance schemes reached cultivators.
“It is unfortunate that farmers have to commit suicide. Whatever be the reason, this should not happen,” Chouhan said after returning from Delhi where he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“I will ensure that farmers get the benefits of crop insurance schemes, which is not happening properly,” said the chief minister.
Six farmers, four of them in Damoh district alone, have committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh since Dec 15, with damage to crops due to the intense cold being cited as the main reason.
Agriculture Minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria, whose district Damoh has reported the maximum suicides and also two attempted suicides, said: “The damage to crops is taking place because of our old sins. Regular use of chemicals in fields has weakened the health and resistance and crops are getting damaged.”
The minister suggested that farmers turn to organic farming.
