Cotton Women

GM cotton fields in southern India have claimed more than 17,000 farmer suicides during 2014 and so far in 2015. Farmers have entered a vicious circle result of GM seed companies, climate change and acquiring huge debts ranging from 4500 USD to 11,500 USD. The introduction of GM cotton seeds in 95% of Indians fields of Monsanto, have made it impossible for farmers to get them naturally, as was done previously, or buy them at low rates, because the seeds are a patented and are property of the company that creates them, they can not sow their fields without paying for them, and if they do it, they get sued by multinationals. What farmers commonly do, is to borrow money from friends, family or private companies that provide credit to work their land. So each year have to invest in buying new seeds, disrupting the natural cycle of plants and agriculture as it has been for centuries in this country. This type of seeds commonly require more water than natural, the chemicals used to fertilize crops and protect this cause irreparable damage to the soil where they are grown. Preventing any other seed grow in the future. Most suicides among farmers are related to debt, with interest ranging from 24% to 40% per annum of the loan. Usually, farmers spend three or more years trying to get a good harvest, but ultimately these attempts, there is always some kind of problem during cultivation; no water, the arrival of the monsoon, bad seeds, climate change and they lose everything, sometimes may even lose their land, leaving farmers with nothing but debts. The way most farmers have taken life is moreless the same, go to their fields, and drink pesticides with whom they work. After suicide, they leave their wives and children with all the same problems that he could not solve. They have to start working to pay what the husband left, a lot of debts with high interest. Some widows have the support of their families or when children are older, they all work together to pay, others are left alone or with young children and usually do not know how to pay. "If my husband does not have an answer for this, how can I do?" This is what Rama, one of the widows who lost her husband on January 20, 2015 said. Women also show strong despite the tragedy, they continue with their lives, they return to the fields that life took her husband. Still working, always feeling the absence of his love, but feeling, when applicable, the support of their children and relatives to stay alive.