CSR: Hazards in Farming
Farming is one of the most important yet most distressed vocations. Farmers are burdened with a huge responsibility to feed the world’s population, which is constantly rising. And to fulfil this, they often play with their lives on the fields.
Contrary to the perception, farming is one of the most dangerous activity. A farmer is subjected to numerous risky variables, some of which can prove fatal.
Animals
Farms are house to reptiles, animals and insects. The farmers who often work bare feet in India are exposed to them. They are susceptible to injuries, diseases and stings caused by them.
Chemicals
Farmers use various chemicals in form of fertilisers and pesticides to increase the production and protect it from insects. These chemicals can cause skin diseases, respiratory diseases and poisoning to the farmers.
Pesticides are also known to cause terminal diseases such as cancer. In fact, Punjab, the food source of India, after the increased used of pesticides have so many cancer patients who are farmers, that a train has been started from Bhatinda to Bikaner for the convenience of these patients. The train, popularly known as ‘Cancer train’ provides free transportation to the cancer patients, who are headed to Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, which is covered in Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme.
Weather
Farming includes spending a lot of time outdoors. Air pollution, noise pollution, drought or rainfall impacts the lives of the farmers immediately. The climate change not only affects their income but also their health. They are more susceptible to diseases such as heat stroke, dehydration, hypothermia and sunburns.
Heights
Presence of moist soil, mud and sludge make the farm a magnet for accidents. It is very easy for farmers to slip and fall in holes, or on the land from a ladder or stool, which can cause severe injury.
Vehicle
The uneven soil makes the farm accident prone to vehicles which put the safety of the farmers’ life in jeopardy.
Apart from the low income, exploitation and climate change, there are several problems in the life of a farmer. CSR can improve their lives by easing some of these processes and backing them up with healthcare so that these important contributors of our society feel protected.
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Regards,
The CSR Journal Team
