By Neville Lazarus, Sky News Producer
Farmers in India have asked the government for permission to sell their own organs to help pay off mounting debts.
The Union of Farmers contacted the Prime Minister on behalf of farmers in the northern state of Haryana, which is near New Delhi.
"More than 90% of the farmers of Haryana are in debt," said protest leader Gurnam Singh, from the Bharat Kisan Union.
"It has become increasingly difficult for us to live and the only way out is by selling our kidneys and other organs.
"The land belongs to our ancestors and is like our mother so we will never sell it.
"At least selling our organs would enable us to repay debt and live for a few more years and feed our families."
They are yet to hear from the state government or from the Prime Minister's office.
The farmers are also protesting against the way government-run banks in the region deal with loan defaults.
Photographs and details of all loan defaulters are posted at bank branches to name and shame. Mr Singh says that this has led to social stigma.
According to the National Crimes Records Bureau, 270,940 farmers have taken their lives since 1995.
This occurred at an annual average rate of 14,462 deaths between 1995 and 2000.
Critics have pointed out that the numbers may be even higher because the figures are understated by the government.
They say that several deaths are not reported as suicides and due to social prejudices, women farmer deaths are not registered as farmer suicides.
More than 60% of people in India rely on agriculture for their income, but in recent years the demand for land, fertiliser, water and seeds has increased.
At harvest time many farmers have then found themselves confronted by record low global prices.
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