Three cotton farmers from three different places in the district committed suicide, consuming pesticide, in the course of the last 24 hours after they incurred losses due to their seeds not germinating.
A large number of cotton farmers had been badly affected by the absence of germination due to scanty rainfall in the present Kharif season.
The increased costs of inputs, such as seeds and fertilisers, have also become a burden on farmers, contributing to the present agriculture crisis.
Adepula Laxman, 51, of Jagadamba Thanda in Mamada mandal, had sown cotton on three acres of land in the first week of June, then a second time a week ago to no avail.
He invested in expensive inputs, then was too disappointed to press on and committed suicide.
Distressed cotton farmer G. Ganganna, 41, of Ambakanti village, Kuntala mandal, who had taken loans worth `3 lakh from the bank, hanged himself. Another farmer, Mallepula Ramana, 30, of Kauta (B) village in Boath mandal, too took the extreme step for the same reason.