| Farmer Suicides Rise in India and Ghana |
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| Written by Erika Fredrickson | |
| Friday, 13 February 2009 | |
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The number of farms in India is decreasing while the number of farmer suicides increases. Between 1997 and 2007 it's reported that 182,936 Indian farmers killed themselves over debt-related issues. The actual number is probably higher because women aren't considered farmers in this kind of data-collection (they rarely get land in their name) yet they often are primary farmers. So any women suicides are deemed “suicide” but not “farmer suicide.” This is the largest sustained wave of suicides in historical record. The way the stats break down is that ever since 2001, a farmer has committed suicide every 30 minutes on average in India. Peasant farming debt has doubled since the first decade of neo-liberalism “economic reforms.” The suicides are highest among cash crop farmers, especially those who grow vanilla, groundnut, sugarcane, coffee, pepper and cotton. Giant seed companies have displaced cheap hybrid seeds and traditional seeds. When these farmers switch to GM crops, the crops often get attacked by pests and also need double the water. Farmers have to invest in pesticides: something they were told would not be needed. Their crops often fail, and they find themselves in huge debt. Hunger among farmers is skyrocketing. Healthcare costs make it worse. Many farmers have to work on other people's farms to make a living. And as government subsidies keep Western farmers strong on the international market, the Indian farmers can't compete. Many of them kill themselves by drinking the pesticides they thought they wouldn't need. In Ghana, there's also been a suicide wave, but here it's among small-scale tomato growers. The importation of tomato paste on the international market makes these farmers tomatoes difficult to sell because people are buying the paste instead of local tomatoes. Lack of refrigeration options leaves tomatoes to rot. And the farmers find themselves harassed by creditors at which point they see suicide as their final option. Sources: Outlook India, Aftermath News, All Africa, Counterpunch Comments (44)
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"When these farmers switch to GM crops, the crops often get attacked by pests and also need double the water"
These statements are complete garbage - not a shred of evidence for this. The truth is, cotton yields in India have increased dramatically when Bt cotton was introduced due to lower losses from pests. Farmer suicides in India are a problem, but not related to GM crops. Commenter 1 mentions many of the actual reasons. Further reading: http://www.geneticmaize.com/2009/06/shameful-shiv/
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It's true what our moms said...we are what we eat. In fact, it's truer than they thought. What I eat doesn't just affect me anymore, it affects all of us.
Unfortunately, the story of food can sometimes be complicated. But envirovores help each other out...which is why this blog will be bringing you news, tips, and information about food and the environment every step of the way.
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The dowry system puts more peasants over their head in debt than any subsidy ever will. To marry off a daughter a peasant will often mortgage his families future.
Unless we all want to go back to a 'hunter-gatherer' style of living (virtually the standard of Indıan peasant) we certainly do not want to follow third world farming practices.
Problems include:
1. Very small plots of land are expected to support an extended family.
2. The education level of the peasant farmer is generally in the 'nil' range.
3. There is too little interest in change of methods due to entrenched powers. Often the village chief will fight any progress as he sees it as threatening his position
4. Corrupt government officials
5. A non-existent transportation system to get goods to market
6. Local customs and regulations
7. Crooked money lenders
8. Child labor
9. Bonded labor
These and many other restrictions all play a part in the Indian farmers life.
The local politicians play up the subsidy thing as it is a vote winner though typically they only care about the peasant on election day.
There are some good government officers in all the poor countries and politicians as well but they are very few and have fantastic difficulties to overcome with all too little support.