The Maize Debt Trap - Why are tribal farmers in this Odisha district caught in a loop of debt?
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- Опубліковано 4 сер 2024
- This story is based in one of the most resource rich states of India - Odisha. But this particular district in Odisha is a case study on the increasing marginalization of vulnerable communities in the country. Tribal farmers are being crushed under a cycle of debt because they have been growing hybrid maize crops for the last two decades. Maize, being a fertilizer hungry crop is adding to their cost of production every year. But with erratic weather and the global climate crisis, production is not what it used to be. As fertilizer costs increase every year farmers borrow money from local moneylenders to meet their farming and daily expenses. This comes at an interest of 3-5% and soon a farmer ends up working for his own land as a labourer. They also cannot borrow money from banks because banks require collateral. This collateral is generally the land they farm on but under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 they need papers to prove that the land belongs to them and does not fall under reserved forests. These claims, once submitted to the government take at least two years to process and mostly get rejected for several reasons. So, this cycle of depleting soil quality, crushing debt and further marginalization of vulnerable communities continues.
0:00 Background of Hybrid Seeds
2:20 Maize Farming in Nabarangpur
3:01 Maize, a fertilizer hungry crop
5:39 Moneylending in Odisha
7:40 Forest Rights Act, 2006
9:00 Conclusion
9:44 End Credits
Down to Earth is Science and Environment fortnightly published by the Society for Environmental Communication, New Delhi. We publish news and analysis on issues that deal with sustainable development, which we scan through the eyes of science and environment. - Наука та технологія
Its a nice initiative by Down To Earth to bring such an important issue into highlight .These episodes should also come with some practical solutions.
Unfortunately, the solutions to this are quite complicated and there are no easy answers. It's important to highlight issues and their interconnectedness before seeking answers.
@@D2Edo you think there can be a market for heirloom varieties? This would at least allow farmers to set aside a portion of the harvest for replanting.
We need particular land based policies and NOT "one size fit all approach"
love from Odisha ❤❤❤
I'm startled watching this. I'm from the neighbouring district of Koraput and I'm aware of the fact that they are underpaid for their produce as a cumulative result of multitudes of factors, rainfall being the major, the high rates of fertilizers and equipments whose prices if questioned are cited to be the result of commute expenses and sometimes storage expenses beared by the shopkeepers. Mostly, people prefer sweet hybrid variety of corn instead of the native crop cultivated here. Still a lot has been untold, maybe it's like a few known knowns, a few unknown knowns, a few known unknowns hanging around the bush. Great effort team to bring this through though. Kudos!!!
I wish they could grow organic non monoculture crops. However this would require them taking a lose for a few years for the soil to normalize and improve but after that they can grow the same amount of yield or higher going forward.
Great initiative taken by down to earth tearm to addressing this issues , where our all odia media involves in politics and trp trap , your initiative with most authentic way really help them out of this plight, hope this will reach to government.
Thank you! Much appreciated!
Thanks to the team.
Nicely put together.
Thanks for this information
Farmers are trapping in vicious cycle of debt, poverty, despair.
There is no accurate clarity of several government policy which is related to agriculture.
Also , quality of soil deteriorating, enhance in intensity of crop failure, environmental problems.
Thnk u DTE, your details are very informative❤
Thank you for this wonderful documentary
Our pleasure! Please share our work if you think it highlights an issue worth talking about.
Great video! Even now as food prices soar due to increased food insecurity (war, climate change, over population…) I do not believe farmers are getting any better deal. Food growers (farmers) and providers (land and other eco resources) are kept at the brink of collapse instead of strengthening them.
Reevaluation is long due. Humans agree to pay exorbitant amounts on luxury goods but do not even think of giving due care to the ecosystem that surrounds us and is the provider of all things- luxury or comfort or basic.
Thank you so much! Appreciate your support.
Your thinking is 👌
Govt should come forward & help
powrful video
Same is with rice in Punjab.
From Odisha ❤
My heart breaks seeing my poor people entanagled in the debt trap.
The only real answer is diversity and seed sovereignty. Only this way can we hedge our bets against extreme weather events and disease.
Thanks for this information
Odisha government help karna chahiye tribals
What a sad story. Government should promote Natural farming for these people and provide proper guidance.
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Only Rich person gets freedom from British....but we farmer and lower middle class didn't get With considering in every situation like to get loan, govt facility without giving bribe and so on...but politician and govt org always ignored those things...its so pathetic...now only god may help us 😢😢😢😢
Same thing when growing any hybrid crop, like rice. You have to keep buying seeds every planting season.
S it's time to highlight& address this barbaric struggles of Indian farmers before Amrit kal # Go DOWN TO 🌎
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Why do we grow so much Maize/Corn anyways? It's used as animal feed. Demand for meat is the end reason for this challenge. Also, this is the case with most of the crops. Around our area, I am witnessing soil degradation due to excessive ploughing and paddy and soybean cultivation. Technically whats cooked inside the closed boardrooms of the handful of large FMCGs implemented by ironically blue-eyed ivy league grads is finishing off the biodiversity of the world and also ensuring poor remain very poor and the worse thing is the poor have zero clue.
I always remember Vandana shiva whenever I listen about green revolution and seeds
We do too!
The day when the farmers start deciding the selling price of their produce they will become the Oil sheiks or most people will start cultivating on their own.
Growing a monocrop is extremely bad for the soil in the long run.
It's bad for the land and bad for our health. Not only does the soil become nutrient dense and so the crop, but adding chemicals to it will cause health issues in the long run. These industrialized food products are not just unnatural but they hasmve become normalized frankenfood that have become the standard.
Should probably try no dig and inter cropping. Meaning they could actually grow more over time. Also, should be growing a pea or something.
I think they aren't educated in growing crops / food in any other way. Also another factor is they need to a few years to get good or better yields, which might not be practical. Sadly it's not uncommon for farmers in India to commit suicide over their financial hardship.
Incentivising them is the only way out.#SaveSoil
Inko jankari ni h...Inko maize k alawa kuch aur ugana chahiye
हरित क्रांति एक छलावा था
Entire country should move to Subash palekhar low budget farming. Grow for family and then rest for the world