Mysuru Tobacco Farmer Dies by Suicide Amid Price Crash and Debt Crisis
A tragic incident has unfolded in the agricultural fields of Mysuru, where a debt-ridden tobacco grower died by suicide at his farm in AG Koppalu, Periyapatna taluk. The incident occurred on Thursday night and was discovered on Friday morning, sending shockwaves through the local farming community.
Details of the Tragedy
Police have identified the deceased as 5iddegowda, aged 41. According to a complaint filed by his relatives, the farmer was deeply distressed by the steep fall in tobacco prices and his overwhelming financial obligations. He had borrowed more than Rs 10 lakh from moneylenders, who were pressuring him to clear the loan amount. This mounting debt, coupled with the economic strain from the tobacco market crash, ultimately led him to take his own life.
Root Causes of the Crisis
Farmer leaders in the region have pointed to a combination of factors that have created a severe crisis for tobacco growers:
- Tax Hike Impact: A 40% increase in tax on cigarettes has led to a significant dip in sales, causing cigarette and other tobacco manufacturers to reduce or halt purchases from farmers in the Mysuru region.
- Price Collapse: This reduction in demand has resulted in a crash in tobacco prices, bringing immense anxiety and financial hardship to growers who rely on these sales for their livelihood.
- Suspended Auctions: In response to protests from tobacco growers over the steep price fall, the Tobacco Board has suspended tobacco auctions in key areas like Hunsur and Periyapatna, further exacerbating the situation.
Broader Implications
The suicide of 5iddegowda highlights the broader issues of agricultural distress and debt in India's farming sector. This incident is not isolated; it reflects a systemic problem where farmers are caught between volatile market prices and high-interest loans from moneylenders. The suspension of auctions has left many growers without an outlet to sell their produce, pushing them deeper into financial despair.
Local authorities have taken action, with Periyapatna police registering a case in connection with the death. However, this tragedy underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to stabilize tobacco prices, provide debt relief, and support farmers through such economic shocks. The community mourns the loss while calling for immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
