Our partners on the ground are Deendayal Trust in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India.

OUT STORY

In 2011, none of us had any idea about this issue; when we came to know that, on average, one farmer commits suicide every 41 minutes in India, it really shook us. We realized that this is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportion. It affects people’s right to life, water, food and adequate standard of living. We registered this company in the State of Arkansas to help victim families and give our aid to farmers.

In 2012, our non-profit status was approved by the IRS, so all donations made to Save Indian Farmers can be claimed as a charitable deduction on your tax return. We raised funds in 2012, to help four families (Ms. Ade : Rs. 23,000 , Ms. Shende: Rs. 10,000, Ms. Mohurle: Rs. 10,000, Ms. Chincholkar: Rs. 10,000) We undertook this effort in association with Deendayal Trust of Yavatmal district in Maharashtra. To ensure transparency, Mr. Parag Deshpande personally visited this place and talked to these recipients. We teamed up with Wainganga Sanstha as our monitoring organization. Mr. Kurhekar and Mr. Dalal of Wainganga Sanstha frequently visit and monitor the work being done by Deendayal Trust. We receive updates about these families from time to time, and we monitor their progress to keep our donors updated about how their one-time donations have benefited these families.

WHAT WE PLAN TO DO

In 2013, our short-term goal is to provide help to more victim families. We have already received a list of people who are in immediate need of relief. We have identified families that have sustained immediate need and are working to generate funds to help them get independent and debt-free.

So far, our efforts have been concentrated in Yavatmal district in Maharashtra. However, we know that this problem affects at least three other states: Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka and we are making efforts to locate organizations in these states with whom we can work together.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, spread the word, talk to your friends, get in touch with your cousins in India who may be able to help us establish contact with NGOs in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. Donate your hard-earned money – we promise to use 100% of the proceeds towards the cause of farmers. Sponsor a village, reservoir or a solar lantern that will help a village family see at nights in areas with no electricity.