Agriculture
is the back bone of Indian Economy
After coming to Germany, it has become part time job for me to compare India with Germany. I am worried about one thing...
What is that?
Let's go 15
years back from now. It was the time where many villagers income was only from agriculture. India used to be called as country of farmers Depending upon the
monsoon the crop use to be grown at different parts of the country...
Agriculture is one sector where
nature gambles with human.. Many farmers comitted suicide due to flood,drought,cyclone or
loss.. Over a years agriculture sector has
become a risky business... The profit margin is very less and mainly no fixed income..
If you see major percentage of farmers will not have second income or in other
words many farmers are school drop outs and illiterates..
Present Situation:
Consider cities like Bangalore or Mumbai, cities which never sleeps, where job requirements are increasing day by day and people infiltration from rural area for jobs also increasing day by day.
At one part farmers are going through tough time with no fixed income
and on the other side the industries are growing.. Jobs requirement in Malls, security, catering, construction etc.. are also increasing.
It's obvious and wise decision from farmers to
come to cities to earn their bread and butter mainly to have some fixed
income...
Another
fact is very less educated people are moving to agriculture sector or involved
in farming...
Over a
period of time farmers will come to cities and educated people do not go to villages for
farming. The productive farming land becomes non productive.. One day these
lands will be considered as non productive and will be allotted to industries or it will be urbanised.
Here are some statistics from Ministry of Agriculture Department, India
2001 Statistics:
Total Population (2001) : 1028.7 Millions
Rural Population (2001) : 742.6 Millions (72.2% of total Population)
2011 Statistics:
Rural Population (2001) : 833.1 Millions (68.8% of total Population)
Agriculture share in GDP (%)
1950-1951: 56.5%
1970-1971: 45.9%
2000-2001: 24.7%
2009-2010: 15.7%
As we neglect Agriculture..
- Our GDP comes down..
- Importing of vegetables and pulses will increase.
- Cost of food items increases.
- Also cost of living increases.
So, I believe, I have transferred my worries to you ....
But think our future the day is not far where we need to pay Rs.100 for 1 kilo Rice Or Rs.150 for one kilo onion...
We believe Agriculture is the back bone of Indian economy, but we never realised.
It's the time we should start improving Agriculture sector..
You may ask, Is there
any solution?
May be yes, I will this question to you ask yourself and fin the answer, if found please share with us also..
But, Here are my ideas...
I know one of my German colleague in office, who does farming after his office
work, he grows vegetables, cherries, strawberries etc..
We in India need a paradigm shift, agriculture is not only for villagers but It's for all. One should start involving in agriculture. I will bet in future years there will be huge scope for Agriculture..
In schools there should be subject on Agriculture with practicals, where a kid can learn at least how to make gardening and t how to cultivate within small garden.
Advancement
is agriculture equipments reduces human fatigue. As I can see in Germany ten acre of field will be
cultivated by 2 persons and with big agri culture tractors..
There should be some organisations which takes farmers as employees, does farming/cultivation and gives farmers (employees) a fixed salary..
So this was my worry and some ideas to convince myself. I leave this topic to you and expect your ideas..
Thank you,
Jeevan
