Is Indian Agriculture Ready to Welcome Back Youth from Abroad?

About 65 percent of the people in India are engaged in agriculture and allied activities directly. 55 percent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

Conversely, youth each year leave the agricultural profession to pursue their interests abroad. Considering this, let us try and explore why this happens with the help of farmers from Punjab. According to Dilpreet Singh, “Even if someone chooses to leave the state, it does not imply that they do not value their motherland. Often, people leave the country for facilities, human rights, and healthcare.”

In his view, most families seek opportunities abroad for betterment. “Sometimes, the environment may not be conducive for farmers. Agricultural productivity needs to increase and the youth must learn to take risks to become entrepreneurs. Moreover, they should launch their start-ups as well; there is a lot of Agri-centric potential in Punjab.”

Singh remains hopeful that shortly, the agricultural domain will attract innovative and lucrative opportunities. With the advent of technology and innovation, youth are sure to embrace the chance to venture into agricultural advancements that they once only dreamed of.

Amrit Singh Chahal, another farmer from Punjab and the President of PAU Organic Farmers Club says, “I am hopeful about the trend of youth from farmer families returning to the motherland. Why they choose to seek their interests abroad may be because many families are debt-stricken. Considering this, to brighten the prospects of the future, this looks like an easy way out. Nonetheless, I truly believe that farmers are maharajas of the land; it is this sentiment that they need to echo to be able to strive in the coming future.”