Frightening! Seven farmers die in seven days due to alleged crop failure in Odisha

In an alarming development, the incessant and unseasonal rains in Odisha that wreaked havoc and massive crop losses in December also allegedly claimed the lives of at least seven farmers in a span of about seven days.

Reports from different parts of the state recorded farmers taking their lives or succumbing to “shock” after allegedly witnessing the destruction of their crops following the recent spell of rains during rice harvesting and procurement times.

In the latest case, a farmer from Sarana village under Balikuda police station in Jagatsinghpur The district took his own life on Monday, allegedly due to pressure and shock over crop failure.

Sources informed that the deceased, identified as Krutibas Swain, had gone to harvest rice along with his brother and collapsed in grief over the large-scale loss of crops. After returning home at night, he reportedly hanged himself inside the house.

Relatives stated that Swain was in a state of extreme worry as a large part of his harvest was ravaged by unseasonal rains. In addition, he was also in financial difficulties due to debts accumulated for his family’s medical expenses.

Meanwhile, although the police arrived at the scene and carried out an investigation, they did not make any comment.

The incident came just after two farmers died on December 28 in separate cases. While a rice farmer, Manibhadra Mohanty, of Chikana village in Jajpur, died after allegedly falling unconscious seeing his crops destroyed, another sharecropper, Daitari Jena, in Kendrapara, allegedly ended his life after consuming pesticides.

Similarly, on December 26, a farmer allegedly committed suicide in Ganjam district, while another suffered a heart attack upon seeing his damaged crops in Kendrapara. Sadly, on December 23, a 75-year-old farmer from Dungara village in Puri died of supposed shock after crop failure.

It is pertinent to note that the Odisha government has taken all necessary measures to ensure adequate compensation and relief to farmers at this time of crisis.

Along with a damage assessment visit by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and other ministers to the affected regions, the State has announced the extension of compensation to all farmers, even those who do not grow rice.

Additionally, an extension of the claims registration period along with a advice to insurance companies The state government has also urged sensitivity towards farmers.

OTV News is now on WhatsApp

Join and receive the latest news updates via WhatsApp

Join now