A press release

Look at this press release by Ministry of Agriculture. The headline says "Decline in suicide by farmers" ---as if, this is some indicator or index. Even if one farmer commits suicide, is n't is a cause of concern.

Decline in Suicide by Farmers

Subsequent to implementation of Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008 and various other programmes/schemes for agricultural development and welfare of farmers, incidents of suicides amongst farmers due to agrarian reasons have not increased and there is decline in such trend, as reported by State Governments. Government has approved National Policy for Farmers (NPF), 2007, which seeks to address comprehensively various constraints faced by farmers. Provisions of NPF, 2007 are being implemented to revitalize agriculture & allied sector and ameliorate condition of farmers through various ongoing programmes and schemes. Special schemes/programmes of Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, which are relevant for farmers of North Eastern Region, include Technology Mission on Horticulture for North Eastern Region, National Mission on Bamboo Technology & Trade, Central Institute of Horticulture in Nagaland and Control of Shifting Cultivation. This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. MP:SB:CP: decline (16.12.2011) (Release ID :78847