Shift to cotton to blame: Study

Cotton crop production has shown a remarkable average annual growth,higher than other crops grown in India. However,its yield has not shown the required growth. There is negative growth in millets,traditionally consumed by rural population,and this is one major factor which has led to the agrarian distress,the study says.

Costly seeds,pesticides and inter-culturing operations have also contributed to high incidence of suicides.

In the study,‘Agricultural Scenario: Agenda for Farmers’ Prosperity’,the Assocham has called for setting up of agri-clinics in each district of Punjab and Haryana with the mandate of testing soil,devising techniques for water management and educating farmers on high-value crops.

Calling for funding by both government and companies manufacturing fertilisers,seeds and pesticides,it states that long-term sustainability of country will be bleak unless quick measures are taken to make agriculture a remunerative sector.

The other critical factor that has added to the woes of farmers is higher burden of input costs.