Mah: Caritas devises to prevent farmers' suicides

Mumbai, Feb 8: Caritas India, an NGO of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, has devised an integrated programme ''Save Farmers - Save India'' to prevent suicide by farmers.

''An integrated approach to developing the farmers' region include a sustainable natural resource management, effective micro-credit groups, and empowerment of farmers in fighting the high suicide rates among the marginalised farmers,'' Caritas India executive director Fr Varghese Mattamana said in a statement here yesterday.

Over 2,000 poor and marginalised farmers in Wynad district of Kerala have joined Caritas India's self-help group (SHG) development plan, he said while adding that these farmers have not been driven to commit suicide.

''The SHG members have achieved leadership qualities and management capacity to make the best use of their small savings and also access resources from banks and governmental institutions,'' Fr Mattamana said.

''We want to take that strategy to Vidharbha where suicide rate among farmers has been high,'' he said.

Meanwhile, a three-day seminar on ''Human Rights Based Approach To Development'' commenced here on tuesday.

The three-day meet will also finalise Caritas India's action plan for the next two years.

UNI