Sugarcane farmer attempts suicide in Karnataka

A debt-ridden sugarcane farmer today attempted suicide in Pandavapura taluk of the district in Karnataka, which has witnessed several distress deaths of farmers in the past over one month bringing to fore agrarian crisis.
50-year-old Shivakumar, who consumed poison, had been admitted to the K R Hospital in neighbouring Mysuru, police said.
According to police, the farmer had availed of Rs four lakh loan from money lenders to take up sugarcane cultivation in his own land and also in four acres of leased land.
As he was unable to repay the loan, Shivakumar allegedly consumed poison after he faced 'harassment' by money lenders, police said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had yesterday said 25 farmers committed suicide in the state since last month. Eight of them farmers were debt-ridden sugarcane growers while others ended their lives for different reasons, he had said.