BT Cotton - 2007 Mass Sowing Again in India

Indian Agriculture Ministry Bystander in BT Cotton Sowing Plans of 2007 -
THE RECORD 350 COTTON FARMERS SUICIDES IN VIDARBHA : IT'S ONCE AGAIN BT COTTON MASS SOWING IN VIDARBHA

Nagpur, 01 MAY 2007 :

The cotton growing area of western Vidarbha under severe agrarian crisis, has recorded 350 farm suicides, in first four months of 2007.
However, there is no drop in sowing of high failure bt. Cotton in this region as it is reported locally that this year area covered under bt. Cotton sowing is likely to be doubled from 8 lacs hectares to 16 lac hectares.
Why ?
All seed traders, cum money lenders, are giving BT Cotton seeds on credit to these debt trapped farmers, after more than 95% cotton farmers failed to repay crop loan this year, due poor cotton crop, and drop in market rate of sold cotton.
Government machinery and Indian bankers, are not giving fresh loans to defaulter cotton farmers where as Monsanto is giving huge credit and lucrative schemes to seed traders and they, in turn, are forcing innocent cotton farmers to purchase these failure prone BT Cotton seed.
Local government administration has reported this fact to Indian Govt. but everybody is turning blind eye as American genetically modified seed giant Monsanto has protection from US Agriculture Department, where as in India, Agriculture Minister and Cricket Minister of India Bhau Sharad Pawar is patron of this company in India, as infomed by Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti in press note released today.

VJAS has been demanding complete ban on bt. Cotton in west vidarbha as now it's official that bt. Cotton has been failed in rainfed area and in all most all 95% area is rain fed and farmers has to depend upon monsoon which is not regular and small and marginal farmers are suffering from massive economic losses due to frequent failure of bt. cotton and majority of 2500 cotton farmers suicides reported since June 2005 are small and marginal farmers who opted bt. Cotton seed in rain fed area, Kishor Tiwari of vjas added.

THE MISLEADING TABLE OF SHOWN IN ADVT. OF BOLLGARDII IS LIKE THIS :

BOLLGARDII
BOLLGARD
BOGUS BT.
HYBRID COTTON

COST OF SEED PER BAG :

(450GMS)
RS.1350
RS.750
RS.500
RS.400

COST OF FERTILIZER :
RS.1150
RS.1150
RS.1150
RS.1150

COST OF PESTICIDE :
RS.450
RS.450
RS.900
RS.1200

OTHER COSTS :
RS.1500
RS.1500
RS.1000
RS.1200

TOTAL INPUT COST :
RS.4500
RS.3850
RS.3550
RS.3950

PRODUCTION COST :
RS.1100
RS.900
RS.500
RS.500

PRODUCTION EXPECTED :
1100 KG.
900 KG.
500KG.
500KG.

OUTPUT COST :
RS.2000
RS.2000
RS.2000
RS.2000

TOTAL INCOME PER ACRE :
RS.22000
RS.18000
RS.10000
RS.10000

PROFIT PER ACRE :
RS.17550
RS.14150
RS.6450
RS.6050

HERE IS OFFICIAL DATA OF BT. COTTON FAILURE IN LAST THREE YEARS :
KHARIFF-YEAR
COTTON PRODUCTION IN QUINTALS
COTTON RATE
COTTON PRODUCTION PER HECTOR
SEED COST PER HECTOR
PESTICIDE COST PER HECTOR

2002-03
310 LACS
RS.2700
380KG
RS.1100
RS.1200

2003-04
260 LACS
RS.2500
340KG
RS.1200
RS.1400

2004-05
210 LACS
RS.2500
390KG
RS.1350
RS.1300

2005-06
180 LACS
RS.1780
190KG
RS.9600
RS.1650

2006-07
134 LACS
RS.1890
160KG
RS.5600
RS.1350

VJAS has demanded that Government of India should ban bollgardII Bt cotton in Vidarbha to stop on going farm suicides, agrarian distress and farm debts.

In year 2007, record 350 vidarbha farmers suicides reported (JAN-70, FEB-88, MARCH -97 APRIL 95) that has exposed local administration that package implementation has dropped down the farm suicides in vidarbha by 50% as farm suicide figure of this year since Jan to April is all most double and farm suicides in vidarbha are daily increasing but administration is using official media to mislead the world that vidarbha farm suicides are on decline as maharashtra govt. on it's own website ;

http://www.vnss-mission.gov.in/docs/suicide.pdf

has put the information that exposes this claims as wrong one as vidarbha farm suicides in last three year are on record high and vidarbha Jan andolan samiti has given the reference of their own web site official data, which is like this
OFFICIAL FIGURE OF FARM SUICIDES IN SIX DISTRICT OF WEST VIDARBHA :

http://www.vnss-mission.gov.in/docs/suicide.pdf
FARM SUICIDE AND YEAR
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007 TILL APRIL

SUICIDE IN YEAR
49
105
143
441
560
1427
350

THIS FIGURE OF SUICIDE ARE FROM SIX DISTRICTS i.e. YAVATMAL,AMARAVATI,AKOLA,WARDHA,WASHIM,BULDHANA OF VIDARBHA AND ARE FROM GOVT. WEBSITE :
http://www.vnss-mission.gov.in/docs/suicide.pdf

RECORD SUICIDE AFTER PRIME MINISTER RELIEF PACKAGE ANNOUNCEMENT :

Dr. Man Mohan Singh, reputed Oxbridge economist, and Indian Prime minister, visited Vidarbha on 1 st July 2006 and announced Rs.3750 crore package to the cotton farmers of six districts, but official record says that there record increase in cotton farmers suicides after this package announcement as govt. of maharashtra has officially admitted 1534 farmers suicides after 1 st July 2007 as this suicide figure is all most equal to suicide figure of last decade and this fact is known to govt. officials very well.
Bureaucratic officials in charge of agriculture and relief in Maharashtraa, are saying that suicide are declining and after the trumpeted relief package, suicide rate has come down to 50%, this is matter of shame Kishor tiwari added.

Govt. of Maharashtra has selected Dr. Sudhir Goyal, Relief Commissioner to clarify this misleading suicide data as same relief commissioner has put govt. official survey which shows that 75% of 1.7 million farmers are in distress, and more that 4 lacs 34 thousands cotton farmers, are in deep distress and their hardship are needed to be addressed has not been taken care of in these so called relief packages.

Link to survey : http://www.vnss-mission.gov.in/docs/servey.pdf

31/03/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. BIJARAM ATRAM, VILLAGE TEMBHI, YAVATMAL
2. GANESH DUMARE, PALASGOAN, WARDHA
3. DHANRAJ PARSUTKAR, NANDGOAN PODE, CHANDRAPUR
4. ARUN KANOJE, PIMPRI MODAK, WASHIM
5. BHUSHAN DHOTE, RAMPURI TOLI, BHANDARA
6. AVINASH LENTHARE, VILLAGE TAKALI, WARDHA
7. PRAKASH NIBHORKAR, GADCHIROLI, GADCHIROLI
8. HARI DHOTE, INDARWADA, NAGPUR

Despite Bhau VilasRao Deshmukh, Maharshtra CM's claim, that suicide rates were going down, 95 farmers ended their lives last month
Death row No. of suicides
2007 March 95 February 88 January 70 2006
2006 July 90 August 111 Sept 125 Oct 112 Nov 107 Dec 105

- Hindustan Times Report of Mr Pradip Maitra :
pradipmaitra@hindustantimes.com

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=01_04_2007_004_011&typ=1&pub=264

You can find it at: ' Farmer suicides highest in March'HindustanTimes ePaper
-----------------
Morshi in Amaravti has been shocked when four member of cotton farmer family reported dead due to food poisoning, VJAS has demanded C.B.I. enquiry in to matter in order to rule out the possibility of mass suicide due distress as 3 more farmers suicides reported today on 25 th march 2007,

1. SUBHASH MOHURLE, VILLAGE KINHI, YAVATMAL

2. SHANKAR ZODE, DEWALA, YAVATMAL

3. DAVIDAS TAYADE, BRAHMAN THADI, AMARAVATI

24/03/2007

Western Vidarbha : Home state of political heavy weight, tough talking, ALL ROUNDER, Indian Cricket Minister, also working part time, as Indian Agriculture Minister, and at the same time also as Indian Food Minister, and also as Indian Food Imports Minister.

1. NAMDEO TAG, MURTIJAPUR, AKOLA
2. ANKUSH LATHAL, CHATKHED, AKOLA
3. BABAN BHIMATE KRISHNNA, WASHIM
4. RAMESH NEMANE, PASARNI, WARDHA
5. SURESH KADAM, SALPHAD, WARDHA
6. KISHATTANNA DESHATTIWAR, CHANAKH, YAVATMAL
7. DIKARAM DHOTTARKAR, TADULWANI, NAGPUR
8. PRABHAKAR KALE, ALIPUR, WARDHA
9. BHAGWANTRAO PHUNDKAR, KHUBHARGOAN, AMARAVATI

19/03/2007

Western Vidarbha :
1. GOVERDHAN KAWALE, VILLAGE BHULAI, YAVTMAL DISTRICT
2. CHANDRAKA LOKHANDE, VILLAGE SAWANGI PERAKA, YAVATMAL DISTRICT
3. DHYANESHWAR KHADKE, VILLAGE YELGOAN, BHULDHANA DISTT
4. DAYARAM SUTE, VILLAGE VIRALI, BHANDARA
5. DEVRAO ZALKE, VILLAGE KRISHNNAPUR, YAVATMAL

26/02/2007

Western Vidarbha :
1. Pawan Rameshwar Sadashiv, Kushta villaage, Maravati distt.
2. Rameshwar gangaram Darkate, village Wani-rabhapur, Akola distt.
3. Parmeshwar laxman Gorganle, Jamulghat, Chandrapur dist.
4. Shiriram syryabha Jewala, Paharadevi, Washim distt.
5. Mahan appa Giri, manoda, in Buldhana
6. Prabhakar waman Sawai, village Kat mamla, Maravati
7. Ganesh narayan tike, vilage Masani, Washim
8. Ramhrishnna motiram Gairnar, vilage Rohana
9. Sakharam gajan Choudhari, village Jurur, Yavatmal
10. Santosh mahadev Dandale, village Paras, Akola
11. Rahul Narayan Chinche, village Krurha, Yavatmal.

25/02/2007

Western Vidarbha :
1. PRABHAKAR WAMAN SAWAI, VILLAGE KAT AMAMLA, DISTT AMARAVATI
2. GANESH NARAYAN TIKE, VILLAGE MASANI, DISTT WASHIM
3. RAMKRISHNNA MOTIRAM GAINAR, VILLAGE ROHANA, DISTT WARDHA
4. SANTOSH MAHADEV DANDALE, OF VILLAGE PARAS, AKOLA DISTT.
5. RAHUL NARAYAN CHINCHE, VILLAGE KRUHA, DISTT YAVATMAL.

23/02/2007

Western Vidarbha :
1. Devidas Umarkar, village Bhari in akola
2. Vasant Khandar, Kapikheda, Amaravati
3. Ramrao Nathuji Umare umara in Washim distt
4. Pandurang sitaram Raut(37), village Hiwargaon

Apathy of MSEDCL, power cuts are reported to be amongst the causes. It seems discontinuation of power supply in his farm during Rabi crop season, may have been the immediate cause. A bribe of Rs. 20,000 for reconnecting the water pump, was allegedly sought by the officers of MSEDCL.

AFTER INDIAN Congress PRIME MINISTER's VISIT TO VIDARBHA, AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF SPECIAL PACKAGE RS.3750 CRORE, MORE THAN 1000 FARMERS SUICIDE REPORTED BY GOVT. OF MAHARSHTRA OFFICIALLY IN SIX DISTRICT OF SUICIDE PRONE VIDARBHA. YEAR 2006 WAS ALSO REPORTED HIGHEST NUMBER OF FARM SUICIDE - ACCORDING MAHARASHTRA GOVT. 1452 FARMERS COMMITTED SUICIDE. IN 2007, THE DISTRESS AMONG THE FARMERS IS NOT COMING DOWN.
January 2007 - 70 FARMERS
February 2007 - 68 suicides

19/02/2007

Western Vidarbha :
1. LAXMAN BHIMA SURPAM, KOLAM TRIBAL, IN TRIBAL VILLAGE MATHANI IN YAVATMAL
2. VATSALABAI UTTAM CHITTAKAR AMRAVATI IN AMARAVATI DISTT
3. SANDIP RAM HAZARE KARATKHEDA IN BHANDARA DISTT
4. NAMDEO KURPE KOTIMAKTA IN CHNADRAPUR DSITT
5. SANA LADULKAR OF VILLAGE WAKUD IN BHANDARA DISTT

Reported : Nine farmers suicides in vidarbha in last 72 hours taking toll to 57 in the month of February 2007. 127 farm suicides in this year 2007

17/02/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. SHYAMRAO CHANDRABHAN KINAKE VILLAGE- UMARI-YAVATMAL
2. VINOD SHAYRAO KINAKE-VILLAGE-UMARI-YAVATMAL
3. NILKANTH VITHOBA GURNULE-VILLAGE -WEDASI IN YAVATMAL
4. ASHOK JAYRAM KOLLAR PALSONI IN YAVATMAL
5. BAB TUKARAM CHIKAT OF SAWALI(WAGH) IN WARDHA
6. VINAYAK MOTIRA, ADE OF SAKHARA IN WARDHA
7. TAPAJI DAMAJI KORADKAR OF VILLAGE SHIRALA IN BULDHANA
8. RAMRAO VITHAL GANGAWANE OF DEPUL IN WASHIM
9. BAPURAO SHIRIKRISHNNA GAIGOLE OF DHANEGOAN IN AMARAVATI

Shyam and Vinod were a adivasi father and son duo.
Huge debt, healthcare costs and agrarian distress are assumed to be behind the tribal father and son suicide pacts.
The Divisional Commissioner in charge of Relief, Shri Sudhir Goyal is reported to be shedding crocodile tears and giving interviews to media - "My heart goes out for those who ended their lives out of acute frustration and for their bereaved families even as I am worried about those caught in the web of a flawed system".
The Finance Minister Shri Chidambaram and Shri Sharad Pawar of Central Congress government, have no time to even meet representatives of suicidal and indebted farmers with no hope.
Congress Government seems more keen on implementing Farm Exit Policy for Vidarbha farmers rather than the announced Prime Minister package.

Time for Suicides - Kerala 2005

Farmer suicide 2005-06
Source: Mathrubhumi/ Madhyamam/ Malayala Manorama - From Usha Thanal


Sl No. Name Age Place Date
1 C. Vilson 35 Illikkal 10/01/05
2 Joseph 70 Kalpetta, Wayanad 10/02/05
3 P. Devassia 48 Pulpally, Wayanad 10/02/05
4 Chandran 57 Chittoor, Palakkad 15/02/05
5 Bhaskaran Ezhuthassen 58 Ottappalam, Palakkad 15/02/05
6 Abu 62 Nelliyampathy, Palakkad 15/02/05
7 Jiji Thomas 39 Erumappetty, Thrissur 28/02/05
8 Dilip 40 Kalpetta, Wayanad 21/03/05
9 Haridasan 62 Ambalavayal, Wayanad 21/03/05
10 Saji Varghese 33 Kuruppampady, Kottayam 22/03/05
11 Ayyappan 46 Ambalavayal, Wayanad 26/03/05
12 Lasar 55 Pulpally, Wayanad 28/03/05
13 Gopalan Sultan Battery, Wayanad 28/03/05
14 Prabhakaran 40 Kuzhithura, Trivandrum 22/04/05
15 Babu 45 Mananthavady, Wayanad 10/04/05
16 Shaji George 30 Konni, Pathanamthitta 16/05/05
17 Sukumaran 42 Chelakkara, Thrissur 04/06/05
18 Sathyan 30 Pulpally, Wayanad 21/06/05
19 Sivadasan 48 Punaloor, Kollam 22/07/05
20 Babu. M. 36 Mananthavady, Wayanad 15/05/05
21 Ouseph. K.C. 50 Kalpetta, Wayanad 12/08/05
22 Mathai. P. 45 Kalpetta, Wayanad 12/08/05
23 Chandran.M 38 Ayiloor, Palakkad 29/08/05
24 Gopan & Sindhu 44, 36 Chalakkudy, Thrissur 10/11/05
25 Nanchunda Gowder 60 Panamaram, Wayanad 10/11/05
26 Omana 40 Pulpally, Wayanad 10/11/05
27 Krishnankutty. A. 52 Panamaram, Wayanad 17/11/05
28 Ulahannan 53 Edavaka, Wayanad 17/11/05
29 Shaji. A. 30 Mananthavady, Wayanad 20/11/05
30 Velli 55 Mananthavady, Wayanad 08/12/05
31 Kurian 30 Valadu, Wayanad 14/12/05
32 Abdul Majeed 33 Ambalavayal, Wayanad 14/12/05
33 Sridharan Nambiar 51 Anchukunnu, Wayanad 16/12/05
34 Sasi. N. 52 Meenangadi, Wayanad 16/12/05
35 Vijaya Kumaran Nair 50 Nemom, Trivandrum 09/01/06
36 Thankappan 65 Seethathodu, Pathanamthitta 20/02/06

37 Velayudhankutty 44 Perumatty, Palakkad 07/02/06
38 C. Chandran 44 Nadathara, Thrissur 16/03/06

39 M. Vijayan 42 Cheruthony, Idukki 26/1/05
40 Pappachan 70 Mananthavady, Wayanad 10/2/05
41 Raju, B( Fish farmer) 37 Vypeen, Ernakulam 23/2/05
42 Dinesan, V 45 Kottiyoor, Wayanad 18/3/05
43 Rajan,C 45 Kalpetta, Wayanad 23/11/05
44 Kuppam, N 65 Sulthan battery, Wayanad 26/2/05
45 Rangaswamy Gownder 66 Kozhinjampara, Palakkad 25/3/05

46 Edappara varghese 57 Sulthan Battery 17/3/06