Russian roulette

 

 

The Indian farmer is in a funny situation. With city growth being restricted, people are being pushed towards the outskirts and eat up farm lands, affecting the small farmer. Human value is at its lowest level in India. We have become immune to death. A few thousand deaths do not seem to move us. The rich farmers lead cosy lives and the small farmers face the wrath. The commercialised bank sector is not concerned with the lower section. The small farmers should be guided to form alliances so that they are not exploited by money-lenders during bad times. This will also help in better land utilisation and getting fertilisers at competitive rates. Rural tourism should be encouraged to give farmers income during the off-season. The condition of farming in India is like ‘Russian Roulette’ otherwise. A bad season may claim as many.

Shakuntala Motwani

Pune