Indeed sad!

It is disheartening to see that the farmers in India are suffering due to climate change, lack of proper irrigation and overdue debts which leads to farmer suicides (“Climate change heightens risk of Indian farmer suicides”, Gulf Today, June 9.)

However, there has been some hope. Government support programmes have helped reduce the suicide rate of farmers in some areas, but it does not reach all. If crops fail, farmers lose their only source of income. Which builds stress among them.

This is when the need of mental health awareness is important. I believe the government must take action to provide them free counselling centres in rural areas. If the government increases such support, in terms of financial, so they can get better crop.

Low interest loans and proper health awareness for every farmer will save their lives.

Umm Ul Khulsum
Sharjah