Byline: P. Behere, M. Bhise Agrarian Crisis: Farmer, the most endangered species Despite the popular image of farming as a peaceful and healthy way of life, agriculture has the highest rates of mortality in any industry.[sup] [1] Suicide among farmers is now a universal phenomenon. Studies across the globe have identified farming as one of the most dangerous industries. Farming environments are characterized by a broad and changeable range of physical, biological and chemical hazards that are similar across all cultures. Thus, it is important to view the issue of farmers' suicide from a global perspective. Context of Farming Although farming practices, production systems and type of farms are diverse, there are commonalities across the farms, which are important to health. Most farms continue to be family-owned and operated business and are exposed to the volatility of commodity markets, the variability of weather patterns and the influence of respective government regulations. Farmers are thus exposed to a high rate of stress. Physical stressors and hazards of the farm environment are compounded by regulatory framework and economic dynamics of managing farm business. These operate in the context of declining trends of trade for agricultural produce, volatile commodity markets, limited availability of off-farm employment, growing cost of machinery and production and loss of farm or livelihood due to crop failures.[sup] [2] Economic concerns and government bureaucracy have been consistently identified as a major cause of stress and a contributor to suicide. There is no customary or mandatory retirement age for farmers all over the world and many tend to work beyond the customary retirement age, placing the younger generation in a dependant relationship with their parents for much longer than is typical. This can lead to tension between the two generations on the farm. Recently, we have witnessed such cases in India: The son becoming alcoholic following the father having retired from active government service and taking a dominating and leading role in farming. Roles between work, home and family are often blurred, with farming operating as an occupation and way of life for many farmers. Research had shown a relationship between monetary and family problems with suicide. British farmers were more concerned about family problems[sup] [3] while indebtedness and monetary concerns were reported to be the major reason for suicide among Indian farmers.[sup] [4],[5] Farmers' Suicides in Different Cultures Studies in India, Sri Lanka, USA, Canada, England and Australia have identified farming as one of the most dangerous industries associated with a high suicide rate than in general population. In India, farmers' suicides had been reported from various states, viz. Punjab, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and various other states with varied cultural practices and farming patterns. A study in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra had associated indebtedness (87%) and deterioration in the economic status (74%) as major risk factors for suicide.[sup] [6] This study has revealed that age-adjusted suicide mortality rate for male farmers had trebled from 17 in 1995 to 53 in 2004. An independent study by the author in the region concluded that farmers committing suicide were in their 40s, who were living with family and most were married. Among modes of suicide, poisoning was the most prevalent, followed by hanging and jumping from a height.[sup] [7] In England and Wales, in contrast, fire arms were the method most frequently used by male farmers, followed by hanging and carbon monoxide poisoning. Farmers who commit suicide tend to use methods to which they have easy access because of their occupation. In India, due to the easy availability of pesticide and lack of education and efforts on the part of the system to train farmers in safe use of it, pesticide consumption is the most common method of committing suicide. …