Patna: Narad Rai, a 55-year-old farmer, allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide at his agriculture field in Sheohar district, around 120km northwest of Patna, on Wednesday.

Farmer suicides are a rarity in Bihar unlike in states were farmers are dependent on cash crops for sustenance.

Family members said Narad was under stress being unable to repay loans after his maize plants did not yield grains. He was found in an unconscious state in a field and subsequently admitted to a Muzaffarpur hospital where he died.

Hanslal Rai (50), a close relative, said Narad was upset for the past couple of weeks due to poor yield on his 10-cottah land. The situation was no better in another one acre of land for which he had taken a loan from co-residents. "He was also depressed due to family problems as his five sons were living separately," Hanslal told the police.

Sheohar district magistrate Raj Kumar said a team of senior administration officials visited Narad's village Rajadih. "The team is yet to submit its report. Further action will betaken on the basis of the finding of the team," Raj Kumar told The Telegraph over phone from Sheohar.

Residents said Narad had taken agriculture land on patta (lease) as the family didn't own enough land to plough. Narad and his wife, who is also in her late 40s, completely depended on farming for a living.

"He would visit the standing crops of maize almost every morning and share his feelings with us. We used to encourage him not to be so depressed," Narad's younger brother Om Prakash (50) said.

Sunil Rai, one of Narad's five sons, said his father took the extreme step under duress.

"The government should adopt a sensitive approach towards poor farmers and compensate the loss due to maize crops not yielding grains this season," he added.

The matter was raised in the Assembly on Thursday. The Opposition moved an adjournment motion during Zero Hour and sought the government's reply on farmers' plight.

Agriculture minister Prem Kumar said the government would compensate the farmers who suffered losses due to poor maize crops.

"The state government has decided to give compensation to farmers in Seemanchal, Kosi and other districts after carrying out a proper inquiry," he said.