Sir — The suicide of a farmer at the Aam Aadmi Party rally was shocking. The simmering agrarian crisis has reached a boiling point and has threatened the livelihood of farmers. One remembers verse 1032 of Thirukkural (Tamil literature), which says, “Farmers are the linchpin of the world, for they support all those who take to other work, not having the strength to plow.”
India, which is the world’s fourth largest economy, has transformed itself from a food-deficit nation to a food-surplus country by using technology to step up its agricultural produce. The problem which is looming large is that, many youngsters in rural areas find working in farms unattractive and non-profitable. So, they migrate to cities in search of greener pastures. An urgent policy intervention coupled with a good strategy is needed, which will make agriculture attractive and respectable.