Yet another winter of discontent for Damoh farmers

BHOPAL: With winter chill setting in, the small and marginal farmers and landless labourers in Damoh are feeling jittery, yet again. The reason, inability of the State to compensate the farmers for crop failure arising out of extreme cold or frost bite or work out a comprehensive policy to deal with the situation. Between November 2010 and February 2011, about 13 farmers affected by crop failure and mounting debts attempted suicide while four lost their lives.
The affected families are yet to get compensation.
Though last year, weather was less hostile and the loss witnessed was minimal but the apprehension of frost ruining their hopes of good produce still sends shivers down the farmers' spine.
"Several announcements were made two years back but we received no help. We have grown pulses in 6 acres of land but are not sure if they would remain unscathed if the frost 'bites' them once again. We are yet to clear Rs 1 lakh debt my brother had borrowed from money-lenders," said Chhevladubey village resident and father of five daughters Ram Kumar (42).
His debt-ridden younger brother Bhagwan Das (35) had consumed pesticide after frost destroyed his pulse crop completely in 2010. Nobody asked the family to pay debts for one year but now, they are constantly being pressurized for the same. Their land is under risk from the money lenders. File for widow pension is still stuck in red-tapism.
Family members have walked to the nearest Patera tehsil office located some 10 kms away from village at least a dozen time, requesting that the pension case be expedited, but in vain.
"Rs 10,000 to perform the last rites was the only help we received from the district administration," added Ram Kumar.
"Most of the villages in Damoh still get only 3-5 hours of electricity for irrigation. Crops in dry lands are more susceptible to frost-attack. Supply of original pesticides should be ensured to avoid 2011 like scenario," said another farmer Govind Yadav, adding organic farming should be promoted in Bundelkhand region which is prone to natural calamities.
"Compensation when given benefits only land owners and small and marginal farmers and landless workers are left out. This instills insecurity and promote suicidal tendency among them, said the president of Bundelkhand Vikas Samiti, Vishal, adding that the promise of 10-hour electricity everyday for the temporary electricity connections given to the farmers has also not been fulfilled.
"Government's approach towards agrarian crisis should be pro-active and not reactive. With proper electricity and fertilizer supply, authorities concerned should take all precautionary steps to save farmers from going into a crisis situation. Landless labourers and women farmers must be counted while distributing Kisan Credit Card and compensation," said regional director, Action Aid, Sarika Sinha.
When contacted, district collector, Damoh, Swatantra Kumar Singh, told ToI that "Farmers are ready to fight such natural calamities this time. With proper cropping pattern, traditional knowledge and use of advanced machineries, chances of frost affecting the crops have become less. Camps are being held regularly to disburse Kisan Credit Cards. The administration is also providing on rent equipment and machineries required for scientific farming."