Impotency or Dowry Not Why Farmers Commit Suicide, Mr Minister

Infograph: Bankruptcy, indebtedness and family problems were the major causes of farmer suicides in 2014.

An Indian farmer looks towards the sky, while standing amidst his drought-stricken crop near Patiala in the northern state of Punjab July 17, 2002. (Photo: Reuters)

What was Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh thinking when he said farmers commit suicide over impotency, barrenness, love affairs and dowry disputes? Even according to the unreliable data collected by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), bankruptcy is the leading cause of farmer suicides.

The interactive infographic below paints a more nuanced picture.