Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Social issues are problems that negatively affect the functioning of a society and are widely considered to be problems needing to be addressed. These issues often stem from conflicts in values, beliefs, and practices within a society. India, with its diverse socio-economic landscape, faces a multitude of such challenges. These range from deeply entrenched historical inequalities like caste discrimination and gender disparity to more contemporary concerns like farmer distress and environmental degradation. This answer will focus on the issue of farmer distress in India, providing a detailed illustration of its causes, consequences, and potential solutions.
Understanding Farmer Distress in India
Farmer distress in India is a complex socio-economic problem characterized by widespread indebtedness, crop failures, low market prices, and ultimately, farmer suicides. It’s not merely an agricultural issue but a multifaceted problem intertwined with land ownership, credit access, climate change, and government policies.
Historical Context and Contributing Factors
The roots of farmer distress can be traced back to the post-independence land reforms which were unevenly implemented, leading to fragmented landholdings and limited economies of scale. The Green Revolution (1960s-1980s) while increasing food production, also led to regional disparities and increased dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, degrading soil health. Liberalization in the 1990s exposed Indian farmers to global market fluctuations, making them vulnerable to price volatility.
Key Drivers of Farmer Distress
- Indebtedness: A major driver. Farmers often rely on informal sources of credit (moneylenders) with exorbitant interest rates, leading to a debt trap.
- Climate Change: Erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods cause frequent crop failures, exacerbating financial hardship.
- Market Access & Price Volatility: Lack of access to organized markets and fair prices for their produce. Middlemen often exploit farmers.
- Land Fragmentation: Small and fragmented landholdings reduce productivity and make farming economically unviable.
- Lack of Irrigation Facilities: Dependence on monsoon rains makes agriculture vulnerable to rainfall variability.
- Government Policies: While various schemes exist, their implementation is often flawed, and benefits don't reach all farmers effectively.
A Detailed Illustration: The Case of Maharashtra (Vidarbha Region)
The Vidarbha region of Maharashtra has become synonymous with farmer suicides. Between 2000 and 2023, over 70,000 farmers have reportedly committed suicide in Maharashtra, with Vidarbha accounting for a significant proportion.
Causes specific to Vidarbha:
- Cotton Cultivation: Vidarbha is a major cotton-growing region. The introduction of Bt cotton, while initially promising, led to increased input costs (seeds, pesticides) and vulnerability to pest attacks.
- Water Scarcity: Frequent droughts and inadequate irrigation facilities severely impact cotton yields.
- Debt Trap: Farmers take loans to purchase Bt cotton seeds and fertilizers, and crop failures lead to mounting debt.
- Lack of Alternative Livelihoods: Limited opportunities for non-agricultural employment in the region.
Government Interventions & Their Limitations: The Maharashtra government has implemented various schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and loan waiver schemes. However, these schemes often suffer from delays in disbursement, inadequate coverage, and bureaucratic hurdles. The loan waivers provide temporary relief but don't address the underlying structural issues.
Comparative Analysis of Farmer Distress across States
| State | Major Crops | Key Issues | Suicide Rate (per 100,000 farmers - approx. 2018-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Cotton, Sugarcane | Indebtedness, Water Scarcity, Bt Cotton issues | 18.2 |
| Karnataka | Rice, Coffee, Sugarcane | Droughts, Market Fluctuations, Debt | 15.7 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Soybean, Wheat | Erratic Rainfall, Low Market Prices | 12.5 |
| Andhra Pradesh/Telangana | Rice, Maize | Water Management, Debt, Input Costs | 11.9 |
(Source: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, based on knowledge cutoff of late 2023. Figures are approximate and vary year to year.)
Addressing Farmer Distress: A Multi-pronged Approach
- Strengthening Irrigation Infrastructure: Investing in irrigation projects to reduce dependence on monsoon rains.
- Promoting Diversification: Encouraging farmers to diversify their crops and explore alternative livelihoods.
- Improving Market Access: Developing robust agricultural marketing infrastructure and ensuring fair prices for farmers.
- Financial Inclusion: Expanding access to formal credit and reducing dependence on informal sources.
- Crop Insurance: Improving the effectiveness of crop insurance schemes.
- Land Reforms: Consolidating fragmented landholdings and ensuring secure land tenure.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change.
Conclusion
Farmer distress is a deeply rooted problem in India, demanding a holistic and sustained approach. While government schemes offer some relief, addressing the underlying structural issues – including land fragmentation, climate change vulnerability, and market imperfections – is crucial. A shift towards sustainable agriculture, coupled with robust social safety nets and improved access to credit and markets, is essential to ensure the well-being of Indian farmers and secure the nation’s food security. Ignoring this issue will not only lead to continued human tragedy but also threaten the long-term stability of the agricultural sector.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.