3 Review(s)

Suicide by the farmers in Punjab has been an ongoing reality for years. A typical Punjabi is often considered as an extrovert, a social fellow who likes to eat well ,dress well and to live in Chardi Kala. While there are many issues leading to deepening frustration and anxiety related to indebtedness, the mediate trigger effect can be anything like the last straw on the camels back. Getting nothing in return from the sale of crops after back braking labor, alleged harassment of farmers by artiyas or moneylenders, sale of all land, etc all these factors contribute to taking extreme step. This book evaluates the extent of loans availed by farmers, percentage of borrowing farmers, the composition of institutional and non institutional loans and the interest paid on loan by farmers. Socio-economic characteristics of surveyed households has been studied. Classification of farmers by the size of holding, their relative share in owned and operated land, structure of tenancy, average family size, earner-dependent ratio have been investigated. Cropping pattern and the cause of high indebtedness and suicide among farmers has been examined. This book will certainly prove useful to planners and policy makers and students of economics.