Farming communities in the UK have faced unprecedented challenges over the last few years, stemming from uncertainty around Brexit and future policy, the pandemic, market volatility in the wake of the Ukraine war, declining BPS payments and avian flu.
In India and Britain prices for produce fluctuate, sometimes not even covering the costs of food production and – burdened with mounting debt – some farmers see no way forward but to end their lives.
British farmers battle spiralling fuel and fertiliser costs, poor harvests and problems accessing goods and labour following Brexit.
More lives are lost through suicide than fatal farm accidents each year. According to the Office of National Statistics, 36 suicides were recorded in England and Wales among those working in the farming and agricultural industry in 2021 and 22 farm workers lost their lives in fatal accidents in 2021/22.
The number of farming households in India is 159.6 million and suicide numbers are spectacularly high. Dr Gunisha Kaur wrote The country where 30 farmers die each day, ending “Right now, many Indian farmers are killing themselves to put food on the nation’s tables”.
Kevin Feaviour, a psychologist, is setting up health and social hubs in farmers markets and halls in southwest England. The venues, run by his not-for-profit social enterprise, allow farmers to meet for tea or get a health check (RSN)
In India’s business daily, Devinder Sharma, a noted food policy analyst and an expert on issues related to the agriculture sector, writes of the need to rebuild agriculture.
Counselling, health and social hubs are offered in Britain to address mental health, but are no substitute for systemic change. Sharma’s down to earth prescription includes:
- extending the Minimum Support price set by the government for seven criops, to all crops,
- effective crop insurance,
- provision for disaster relief,
- setting up a State Commission for Farmers Income and welfare, akin to that already serving government employees
- and implementing India’s National Food Security Act ‘in right earnest’.
32% of British dairy farmers are considering leaving the sector because of insufficient returns and volatile markets a new NFU report has revealed. The main concerns centred on the effect of government regulation (87%), feed prices (84%), energy prices (83%) and cash flow and profitability (80%) (Farmers Weekly).
Food producers in both countries would welcome the measures proposed by Sharma. They would give a fair return and enable them to concentrate on putting food on their nation’s tables.
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