As many as 2,575 farmers committed suicide in the State during last nine years from 2000 to 2008 of the BJD rule.
Replying to a question on the issue in the State Assembly on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout admitted that as per the State Crime Record Bureau, alleged suicidal deaths relating to farm activities during the nine years was 2,575.
Besides, he said, during 2009-10 and 2010-11 (till February), a total of 64 farmers allegedly committed suicide as reported in the media.
However, there was no proof that the suicides were related to agricultural activities, he said while replying to a related question from Congress member Dambarudhar Ulaka.
Giving details of the 2,575 farmers' suicide, Dr Rout said the highest number of 378 suicidal deaths was reported in 2004, followed by 365 in 2003, 345 in 2002, 283 in 2006, 260 in 2008, 256 in 2001, 254 in 2005 and 199 in 2000.
On the alleged suicidal deaths during the last two years, he said the highest number of 11 farmers died in Sambalpur district, followed by eight in Bargarh, seven each in Sundargarah and Keonjar, three each in Balasore and Dhenkanal, two each in Balangir, Cuttack, Ganjam, Nuapada and Puri and one each in Boudh, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Mayurbhanj, Koraput and Nabarangpur.
Dr Rout said that for development of agriculture and farmers, the State Government has taken a number of measures by continuously increasing the demand for grants for the department. While `344.58 crore was provided in the 2008-2009 Budget, it was increased to `747.72 crore during the 2010-11 Budget to implement pro-farmer programmes, he said.
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