Three more farmer suicide cases in the State were reported on Saturday. All the deceased farmers had consumed poison and were undergoing treatment at the MKCG Medical College Hospital, Brahmapur. They died on Saturday morning.
According to reports, Ramadas Kalka, a resident of Kodingiguda village under Halua panchayat in Rayagada district, had taken a loan of `50,000 from a local moneylender for jute farming in his four acres of land.
As the crop was destroyed due to poor rain, the young farmer took pesticide on Thursday and was first rushed to the Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital. He was later shifted to the MKCG Medical College as his condition deteriorated.
The two other farmers, who died at the MKCG Hospital, were identified as Prasanna Sahu of Aska and Ghanashyam Dora of Chadhayapada under the Kodala police station, both in Ganjam district. Prasanna had consumed pesticide on December 15 while Ghanashyam took poison on December 17 due to crop failure and debt burden.
Family members of the two deceased farmers said they had committed suicide after they were unable to repay the loan due to crop loss.