'Economy on a roll', GDP growth current Quarter is 9.2% compared to last Quarter's 8.4, Manufacturing growth at 11.9 compared to last quarter's 8.1.' These are the headlines CNBC carrying last night. What caught my attention is the slowing agriculture growth at 1.7 compared to last quarter's 4.0. A significant deceleration over a period of one year. It is the pundits belief that Quarter 2 is always leaner due to the peculiar crop patterns in the Indian sub-continent. But empirical data does not support such a view.
Every sector on the radar is rocking with significant growth rates, heating up the overall growth rate in the Indian economy, barring agriculture production. If the production growth rate lies low, it has the potential to rock the 'economy on a roll' boat. Already we are witnessing price hike on cereals front, which may spread to foogdgrains soon, leading to further rise in the inflation.
One thing is apparent. Agriculture's priority in society is on a downward spiral. Reasons are not far to seek.
Agriculture as a profession is at the bottom of the pyramid. It is taken up only when one fails in other areas.
Entrepreneurial spirit is catching up among today's youth, albeit gradually. Everyone is on the move to try their luck in every conceivable field of activity except farming. One reason is that the returns are not commensurate with the efforts and it does not need high level skills or talent.
Being from agriculture family, I know for sure how much farming lost its sheen. My generation has abandoned it completely.
I don't wish to propose that every brilliant student shall consider taking up farming as a way of life.
Free power, exempting agriculture income from IT net and exempting farm products from VAT, definitely have their advantages in reducing the risks (both man-made & natural)obtaining in the farming. They are monetary incentives to those who are already into it..But these measures alone cannot bring the talented and skilled young people to the profession of farming as a traditionally sought-after and rewarding profession.
The gap between the price paid by the consumer and what producer gets, needs to be brought to reasonabe levels. Indian tobacco major, ITC's e-choupal has unleashed a project to outsource thier foodgrains directly from the hinterland eliminating the role of middleman. More projects on these lines will go a long way in improving the bottomline of farmers.
The need of the hour is to infuse pride in the profession of farming.
A profession thrives on the kind of recognition members of that profession receive from the society. Time has come to follow the slogan pronounced by former Prime Minster Late Shri Lal Bahadur Sastri:
'Jai Jawan, Jai Kissan'
2 comments:
Persons failed in other professions are not going to agriculture. It is quite reverse. Now a days most of farming sector is looking for revival.
Already there is disgussed employment in the farming. There is not need for new talent. Here the main problem is viability which is lack of market systems, correct inputs and natural disasters.
It needs lot of support from the Government. There may be tax exemptions but it is all after there is anything remains. Present position is getting input cost has become diffcult.
This is purely because of Dalari System. If the Government thinks to do any favour first the marketing system has to be brought to their front and minimum procurement price.
Just you see cereals price difference. It is almots 40% to 60%. Why this much of variation. First one look at this parity.
I agree with NS's version, but then also understand that todays youth is surely returning to agriculture, but not on field. The interest have gone up when it comes to technicalities of it. One is after developing new technologies to double, triple the production...
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