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| PHOTO PROMPT – © Connie Gayer |
When the call came he was ready. Quickly gathering his cap,
he and his men stepped out, the driver waiting
as he slipped into the front seat while the men clambered into the back.
They sat in a sullen silence as the vehicle clattered along
the road. The road, set in the rural
heartland, taking them past the once busy fertile fields. In days gone by this would have been the
start of the harvest season.
They found the body in the midst of the parched land, a pesticide
bottle next to it, just another farmer
who took his life.
**
Written for the Friday Fictioneers Word Count : 100.
I have written a fictional version of what is a very sad scenario playing around the world these days. Small, family farms are closing down all around the world for the past few decades with disastrous consequences for farming families. According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) of India, as
many as 5,650 farmers committed suicide in India last year. This works out to
one farmer suicide in every 100 villages or one farmer suicide in every block
in the country last year. One of India's leading newspapers reported this story recently. In midst of Government apathy this journalist has been documenting these stories.
To read contributions by the other Friday Fictioneers click here.
To read contributions by the other Friday Fictioneers click here.
Topical take on the prompt Subroto. And very sad too.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad subject. Thanks for reading and commenting Sandra.
DeleteGood story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ce, I am glad you liked it.
DeleteWow, how sad. We went through a period here where a lot of farmers were losing their land due to foreclosure. The only way you can make a living farming in America is on a grand scale, and that takes money. Farmers go deeply in debt for equipment, seed, and fertilizer--then, if the crop doesn't pan out they've no way of repaying the debt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Russell, it is indeed strange that as the world population grows and lives longer, we rely on farmers to enable a sustainable food supply. But farmers everywhere face various food production challenges that make it difficult to make a living.
DeleteSad story... because it is too real. Like Russell said, so many farmers struggle.
ReplyDeleteMuch more than we consumers realize. Thanks for your comments Dale.
DeleteDear Subroto,
ReplyDeleteA sad but well told story. All too true for small farmers around the world. I defer to Russell's comment. My husband is from a farming family and we saw his uncle go in debt more than once. Again, very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle. that photo of the parched land set me off.
DeleteFarmers are just getting fewer and fewer... If the pace is gentle and alternatives exist it could work.. But an end like this change is coming too quickly.
ReplyDeleteThe challenges faced by the small scale farmers are indeed many and you are right alternatives exist, but that is a challenge in itself. Thanks for reading and commenting Björn.
DeleteIt seems to be the same everywhere. Very sad, good story.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad scenario that needs to be addressed. Thanks for your comments GaH, I am glad you liked it.
DeleteNice impact at the end, makes the point well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Perry.
Deletesad story...
ReplyDeleteI came here to boost your readership :). Do you write other posts too? Other than 100 word stories for Friday Fictioneers? I just find the 100 word thing very limiting and unsatisfying...
Thank for the boost ;-)
DeleteThere is other stuff to read, the categories are at the top.
Try writing a few entries, you will find it is good exercise in a) writing, b) learning to convey more through lesser number of words & c) an addictive writing exercise
I just hate it when I read of a farmer's suicide. It's extremely sad and happens far too often. Well done, Subroto. ___ Suzanne
ReplyDeleteFar too often these days. Thanks for your comments Suzanne.
Delete