Farmers' Distress

It has been five decades since independence, yet several policy initiatives framed by central and state governments do not really reach their intended beneficiaries - the farmers. Recent findings of the National Sample Survey Organisation's 59th round are revelatory of the plight of our farmers; over 48 per cent of them are indebted and nearly two-thirds of the farmers are frustrated with their profession. It is only to be hoped that the results will help in the framing of a long-range farm policy.