Marina Seyie
Chümoukedima
Corona virus has paralysed normal life and restricted movements of migrant workers for atleast one year. Neither central government nor state government has sufficient resources to feed unemployed workers/youths.
Unemployment is the gravest and greatest challenge our society faces today. The current population of India is 1,378,367,849, based on projections of the latest United Nations data. There are 29 states in India. Their populations range massively in size – the largest, Uttar Pradesh, holds almost 200 million people, the smallest, Sikkim, just over half a million. As per Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, 27 million youth in the age group of 20-30 years lost their jobs in April 2020 following a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Organic farming can be life saving for these unemployed youths in present situation because there is large scope in organic farming. India is home to 30 per cent of the total organic producers in the world, but accounts for just 2.59 per cent (1.5 million hectares) of the total organic cultivation area of 57.8 million hectares, according to the World of Organic Agriculture 2018 report. Organic farming has to be understood in detail before stepping in it. The concepts of organic agriculture were developed in the early 1900s by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, Rudolf Steiner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Sikkim as the first organic state in the country on 19 January 2016. He also called the state a harbinger of organic farming, not only in India but around the world.
Currently India ranks 33rd in terms of total land under organic cultivation and 88th in terms of the ratio of agricultural land under organic crops to total farming area. Organic Farming is a farming method which aims at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way that the soil is kept alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials.
There is need to make villages of our country as organic farming hub. This will facilitate villages to promote efficient and sustainable use of natural, biological and human resources. This will also strengthen and upgrade rural food energy and livelihood security.
An organic farming village/hub integrates various elements such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, soil and water conservation, entrepreneurship development, rural income improvement and ecological preservation using a cluster model approach for social economic development. It addresses critical aspects like agri-input production, sustainable and clean energy, skill development, tourism and entrepreneurship development etc.
According to many studies on employment opportunities in organic farming, organic farming requires more labour input than the conventional farming system. India which has a very large amount of labour unemployment and underemployment can generate agricultural jobs through organic farming in rural areas. In India the organic food market is approximately of Rs. 5.6 billion and is an emerging opportunity for generation of employment and income at village level. Therefore, it is pertinent to put emphasis on organic farming to generate job opportunities within states and avoid migrants of youths from one state to another state in search of jobs. A vigorous campaign to highlight the benefits of organic farming against the conventional system. Short and long term loans for organic farmers and unemployed youths with two percent interest rate for first five years and thereafter at four percent to start Organic farming.
As we are very well aware that knowledge is very important in every field, therefore, there is also requirement of separate colleges and agriculture University to impart knowledge on organic farming. Finally, Central and State government must offer lucrative business options for unemployed youths in organic farming to motivate them and boost their morale. This will eradicate unemployment in state and reduce migrants of unemployed youths from one state to another state.
