China’s economy to grow 9.2% in 2006: WB
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More than 58% of our country is dependant on agriculture, contributing 22% to the GDP. One question that has always lingered in my mind is “what will happen to the backbone of Indian economy, since time immemorial, come to when the farmers/agriculturists send their children for higher studies, and the same children don’t return and have nothing to do with agriculture in their life?”
We see this shift happening, have farmers seeing a better life for their children in cities rather than the paddy fields in the village. What will happen if every young one migrates to the towns? I know people will think am just being overtly anxious and that even if there is no man power, machine power will take over the agriculture sector. But I would like to know, how feasible it is for an AVERAGE farmer, old maybe, to afford those very machines. I know [personal experience] how the increased interest rates in the “societies” have proved a bane on their shoulder, adding to reduced produce, and less cost of crop.
Despite these negative vibes, we have a whole new method of selling agro produce, directly to the consumer minus middle-men. This however has begun in certain areas only like Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, with groups like the ITC, setting up e-choupals, it doesn’t seem bleak after all. Now there’s a two way profit happening here, with farmers getting their crop’s value, and companies that have invested in such e-ventures, getting equal profits. Agreed, they do help a lot to overcome the bridge that the educated class of villagers who are moving out, are creating. Why can’t every state government start ventures as such? Aah! Knowing our babu’s completely expect them to say “funding problems”, “no posting available” [candidates themselves are in demand!] and other such indirectly saying: “look, I don’t care about what becomes of this sector, as long as I enjoy the benefits of being a politician” statements.
Electricity! Yep, I know some states provide free electricity for a certain period of time every day or the whole day itself. But in states where they are forced to cough up money for the same, especially when some natural calamity has struck and they are under loss due to the fury of nature, what becomes of them? The same as what happened in Karnataka not so long ago, suicides, as they weren’t able to pay off the loans taken!??
They need to be provided with alternate means of supporting themselves, atleast those who prefer to stay in their village. And cheaper means of crop harvesting, using technology that can be accessible even to the most basic farmer with half an acre of land. How about reducing the costs of pesticides? I see the equation going like, reduced costs->better output->greater profit->hope that people will still prefer to be agriculturists.
First of all, these bloody MNC’s and other “companies” should be banned from buying agricultural land [whether it is fertile or not now, even if it’s infertile, innumerable methods to make it bearing]. Eating up land is fine; afterall they contribute too, but mustn’t be at the cost of another sector!
Awareness needs to be at its peak, providing them with all the info about present agricultural systems and practices. Drought management programmes blah blah. I make it clear; I am NOT against those in villages coming to towns for a “better” quality of life. I am just thinking of the possible situations that may arise if such a mass exodus happens.
The best [or worst?!] part of writing this post is that I know it won’t do any shit! It won’t prevent the agri sector’s probable calamity, or make more companies take initiative and invest in the rural sector, or least expect even one babu of ours to even read this!
I do not know if what I intended to convey has come across at all! It’s just a strange intuition that’s making me see this dire situation this industry might face. And my words will stand testimony to it, when it becomes reality! Though it’s just another grain in the shore! And all I can do is hope it’s not unmanageable [the post and the future!] just a LAYMAN’s views!
And I DO know 58% won’t become 8% in 20 years. But its definitely gonna happen!
