The Agriculture Minister has suggested the setting up of a House Committee of Parliamentarians to study the circumstances leading to deaths of farmers in different parts of the country.
Replying to a short duration discussion on agrarian crisis in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Mr Sharad Pawar said the reasons for such deaths cannot be known unless there is an in-depth study on this issue.

He said the recommendations of such a committee will help the government in improving the conditions of the farmers in the future. Mr Pawar said there have been conflicting data in respect of suicidal deaths of the farmers.

He said the data provided by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) is not matching with the reports sent by the state governments. He also gave details about various measures taken by the Centre and the States for the welfare of the farming community.

He said the Centre has decided to import fertilizers as the country is facing its shortage at present.

The Agriculture minister said the government has identified Eastern India as the focal point for the second Green Revolution to ensure better productivity of paddy.

Stating that the Centre is getting a good response on this count, Mr Pawar said some improvement will be visible in the next two to three years. He asked the states to provide minimum support price to farmers to stop distress sales.
Referring to climate change, Mr Pawar said over 5 thousand scientists are working in this regard for the benefit of the farming community.
Earlier, intervening in the reply, the Finance Minister ruled out universal extension of 4 per cent rate of interest on crop loan to the farmers in a view to balance the borrowing and lending mechanism of the banking sector. He said this facility has been extended to those farmers who repay their loan in time.
Dissatisfied over the reply by the Agriculture Minister, the entire opposition staged a walk out from the House.