PAU to hold census on Farmers' suicides due to Indebtedness

Ludhiana, Jun 12 (UNI) Punjab Agriculture University would conduct a census on number of farmers who committed suicides in Punjab due to severe financial crisis.

The Department of Economics and Sociology of the University will conduct a census of farmers' suicides in Sangrur and Bathinda districts of the state on pilot basis.

According to Dr R S Sidhu, Head of the Department, the census amed at preparing a list of farmers' suicides and scientifically delineate the role of debt in this context.

In this regard, prominent agriculturists and economists today met here to discuss the methodology for conducting the census on "Farmers' Suicides on account of Indebtedness in Punjab" at Farmers' Service Centre of PAU.

Speaking on the occasion, the PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang emphasized the need for an objective and comprehensive assessment of this complex issue threatening the contemporary agrarian society.

While asserting that PAU will work in conjunction with all the stakeholders for scientific and systematic investigation of the issue, Mr Kang also stressed upon the need to look into the phenomenon of farmers leaving agriculture in Punjab.

Eminent economist Dr S S Johl stressed on the need for covering all the sections of rural society in the proposed census and highlighted the need to include genetic effect along with socio-economic factors to be considered for investigation.

Leading farm economists from Punjabi University, Patiala Dr.

Kesar Singh Bhangu presented the findings of his study on farmers' suicides in Bathinda district and compared it with studies carried out by Punjab State Farmers Commission, Institute of Development and Communication and others.

Mr. Gurpreet Singh of Punjabi University also presented his study on farmers' suicides conducted on the families of 200 suicide victims in Punjab.

A progressive farmer and Member Board of Management of PAU, Mr.

Avtar Singh Dhindsa said that suicides was a complex and multi-factorial problem that need to be investigated to draw some logical conclusions.

UNI XC JN VN1712