Climate Change and Farmers¿ Suicide

Global climate change has substantial modifications in environmental conditions. This results in an adverse impact on various aspects. Of the various aspects, the impact on agriculture is pronounced. The impact on agriculture will be varied due to the vulnerability of different farmers' groups owing to their agricultural land size, economic and social background. Indian farmers/cultivators and agricultural labourers are committing suicide since 1995. Of the various reasons for their suicides climate change is also one of them. The high seed cost, late or no seed germination, less or no irrigation facility, new insect/pest attack, high fertilizer, insecticide, and pesticide cost, less crop yield, crop failure, no farmers/crop insurance, and not getting minimum support price are some of the other major causes which result into taking a loan from a moneylender with a high-interest rate (60-120% p.a.) results into high debt. These causes result in a vicious cycle in which farmers got entrapped for several years as a result of which they had a mental or emotional disorder and under its influence they commit suicide.