With three contentious farm bills passed by the Union Government, the state of farmers across the country is known to all. NT KURIOCTY asked youngsters how growth in this sector can be obtained in India and how youngsters can be attracted to this field
The primary sector in India is one that has weathered many a tide, yet it is one that constantly faces more challenges when it comes to economic growth. Indian farmers are trying very hard to make a decent earning for their families. On the other hand, with the rampant increase in the industrial and service sector that is contributing more to the economy, our youngsters are prone to pick up a job in these sectors. No doubt, the numbers speak for themselves but attracting people to agriculture is something that should come from within, a “love for the motherland”. Apart from the fact that land and property have attracted many, there doesn’t seem to be any other connection to bring the youth closer to agriculture.
Joshua Chheda, video editor, Panaji
The feel of growing your own food, harvesting it and then eating it, is itself a blissful feeling. You observe every process very carefully, then you actually find life in the plant, and subconsciously you get connected to it so much so that it feels that the plant calls you from wherever you are for its water and you can virtually talk to the plants. It’s high time we youngsters grow our own food and connect to Mother Earth. The best way to attract youngsters is to start growing microgreens as they are easy, fast, and fun to grow in limited space without direct sunlight. We are no different from these microgreens. They too undergo three stages in their growing life as we do, ie, handling pressure and yet growing, the importance of darkness and how you grow from it, the switch from darkness to light and then searching and growing in one path.
Medhaj Dempo, musician, Taleigao
The agriculture sector is one of the most important industries in the Indian economy, which means it is also a huge employer; but lately, farmers have been using old techniques and tools. Meanwhile, there has been advancement in technology and equipment which they are completely unaware of. During our youth, we start to dream of our future and India is said to be the youngest country in the world with the highest number of youth. By proper marketing facilities and increased profits on a continuous basis, the agricultural sector can act as a big catalyst to attract youths towards agriculture.
Shivangi Upadhyay, Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar
Agriculture plays a vital role in every part of the world. It provides the main source of food, income, and employment. Besides livelihood, agriculture is the way of living life. The agriculture sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting fish and animals from a farm or their natural habitats. As a youth, I feel agriculture-related subject should be added in the school/college curriculum. The government should support and encourage agricultural-based projects by hosting different competitions so students get motivated in doing such projects.
Anushka Karambelkar, student, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Assagao
Tejashri Mahale, Ganpat Parsekar College of Education, Arambol
The agricultural sector in India contributes to 18 per cent of the GDP and around 50 per cent of the employment in India. The sector has seen average growth at a meagre two to three per cent year-over-year in the last three years, similar to the average growth in the last 50 years. What does this mean? The agriculture sector is said to be the backbone of India. However, a spine is only as strong as the weakest link. First, this weak link is clearly the farmers, not through their own devices, but, due to the gross exploitation by middlemen. I have been very vocal about this many times. Second, farming in India is still painfully dependent on labour and rainfall. We have not taken strong strides to automate and standardise the farming processes. Given that 55 per cent of arable land is dependent on rainfall, the need for automation in ploughing, planting, irrigation and harvesting cannot be ignored. Third, cold chain logistics are nothing but a distant dream in India. This is where farmers struggle to store harvested produce and are subject to the brunt of sell or die deals with middlemen. If a farmer is simply able to store his produce, possibly by paying some rent, but having control on prices, it might give them some financial freedom. According to FAO, 40 per cent of the food produced gets spoiled before it even reaches consumers. Food losses and food wastage are an often overlooked fact in today’s times. Growth in this sector must be fueled by technology and healthy competition. We are currently overproducing, wasting, while people still go hungry. Automation will help drive down the cost of production of agriculture goods, and maintain price stability if good storage is provided. Food will be available to a greater portion of the population at an affordable price, minimising wastage. This kind of sustainable growth is what we need to see in the agricultural sector moving forward. This can be enabled by well-meaning young entrepreneurs with strong technical training in technology, agricultural sciences, and also in food packaging and transport.
Ujjwal Tripathi, student, Goa Institute of Management, Sanquelim
Agriculture plays a vital role in the Indian economy; farming was flourishing even during the pandemic. With the passing of three farm bills, the growth of this sector will escalate giving youth a promising career. Agriculture is one of the underrated sectors amidst the youth possibly due to its perception of being unprofitable, outmoded, and strenuous. Strengthening higher education in agriculture can attract youth. Authorities must come up with luring schemes to encourage more participation. The government should also invest more percentage of the country’s GDP in research and development so that the latest technology can be implemented in this era of modern farming.
Shreyas Sudin Shenvi Ambe, Margao
