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Researchers study behavioral aspect of farmer suicides GS: 2 :EMPOWER IAS

 

Researchers study behavioral aspect of farmer suicides

In news:

  • A study is being conducted under the National Agricultural Science Fund of IICAR in three states — Punjab, Telangana and Maharashtra.

Important facts:

  • The study pointed out that till now the issue of farmer suicide was being looked at only from economic and agricultural angles.
  • The study has looked at it from behavioural, psychological and cultural perspectives in addition to the earlier two.
  • Since most discussions and parleys on suicides are overtaken by issues of crop failures, rising debts, new farming techniques, the psychological aspect is largely ignored

Major causes of suicide

  • Since most discussions and parleys on suicides are overtaken by issues of crop failures, rising debts, new farming techniques, the psychological aspect is largely ignored.
  • One of the major causes behind suicidal intent is depression, found the researchers. 
  • It needs to be understood that at times a farmer under a debt of Rs 2 lakh shows a tendency to end his life, while another under a debt of Rs 10 lakh does not.

https://im.rediff.com/news/2015/jul/30farmer.jpg

Strategies to combat farmer's suicide  in India:

  • The study suggested roping in psychologists and counselors on various issues.
  • They included battling depressive ruminations, suicidal ideations, negative cognitions, hopelessness, helplessness.

Model of 7’s:

  • 7D' model of triggering and confounding factors and a '7R' model of preventive and protecting factors to deal with the problem of farmer suicides. The '7D' model encapsulates drugs, debt, disease, disputes, depression, disrepute and death.
  • The '7R' model looks at prevention of suicides. It consists: remunerative agriculture, resilience building, and rational expenditure, reassurance through connectivity, righteous conduct, religious support and responsible reporting.
  • In suicide-prone states, agricultural institutes and scientists should start distributing seeds of resilience, tolerance and contentment among farmers.
  • Along with subsidies, increased farm profits, the focus should also be on resilience building and problem solving skills of farming families
  • Experts underlined that farmers don’t need money only, they need motivation too. 
  •  Agricultural universities can play a powerful role in dissipating the culture of shame associated with mental illness and depression as it is the fear of stigma that acts as a barrier to seek appropriate treatment

 

Sources)

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/researchers-study-behavioural-aspect-of-farmer-suicides-67075