Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Raising farmers plight” (January 30). According to a recent report by the National Crime Records Bureau titled, ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India in 2015’ it was found that farmer suicides in our country has surged from 5,650 in 2014 to 8,007 in 2015 — a 42 per cent increase in just one year.
This report must serve as an eye-opener for our Government. It is unfortunate that we fail labour intensive sectors like farming, micro and small enterprises that cater to the livelihoods in this country. India should give priority to labour intensive technology to generate employment which can increase the purchasing power of the people, boost market, stop colossal food wastage and, therefore, redress farmer’s agony of not being able to market their harvest.