Economic return is the buzz word of the world order. Global scenario of growing science and technology, competitive market economy, poverty index, urban rural divide, etc., act as key driving factors of change. The multi‐dimensional nature of food security has four major dimensions ‐ availability, accessibility, stability, and utilization. This is defined by World Food Summit as, “when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an acute and healthy life.”
Agriculture is perceived by small farming families as non viable and the reasons are
attributed to various contributing factors such as non robust food Policy of government on essential commodities, subsidy system and patterns of agricultural inputs, price fixation policy for agriculture produce, cost viability of external farm inputs against market prices for agricultural produce, constant change in land use pattern, climate change, its implication to farming activities equally further aggravate the situation
There are many reasons why younger generations turn their back towards agriculture.
- The sufferings and struggles they have seen of their parents (if they are from agricultural family)
- No fixed or variable returns till the product are marketed and over dependence on the nature. Some calamity strikes they are in losses and debts
- Lack of facilities that the metros provide if they take up agriculture as a careered)
- Ambition to enjoy all the facilities of the urban life style and the growth that the urban promises.
- For youngsters there is also pressure from their peers and friends. Farming tends to be looked down upon, as an occupation for those who have failed to get a paid job in a more respected area like medicine or engineering. All these factors are pulling the young generation away from agriculture
It is important we create/set up viable models to motivate many more farming community members, especially children to take up the challenge of food security, prove agriculture economically viable in the market driven corporate world, show positive attitudes and effectively address the issue of poverty and hunger.
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