The Odisha government today said only two of the 174 farmers, who allegedly committed suicide during 2015-16, had suffered severe crop loss.
Replying to a written question of BJP MLA Duryodhan Majhi, Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy also said causes of suicide by the two farmers from Nabrangpur district -- Dasuru Gouda, who suffered a crop loss of 66 per cent, and Kamala Das Majhi, whose 90 per cent crop was destroyed -- were not ascertained.
Their crop was lost due to the drought condition in 2015, he said.
In the list of 174 farmer suicide cases, the minister informed the House that the officials have not ascertained the cause of death of about 24 farmers.
In certain cases, the minister said, "The reason (of suicide) could not be ascertained, but not due to crop loss." And in some other cases he said, "Cause not ascertained, but not for agriculture purpose.
