An increase in the farm worker population, particularly in developing economies like India, signals potential economic concerns rather than progress. This trend often reflects structural issues in the labor market and broader economic challenges.
Source:- BBC news
Key Concerns:
Reverse Migration: A rise in farm workers is often attributed to reverse migration from cities to rural areas, driven by lack of urban job opportunities. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when millions returned to agriculture as a fallback livelihood.
Source:- news 18
Agricultural Underemployment: Agriculture in many countries, especially in South Asia, suffers from low productivity and is unable to absorb large populations productively. This leads to disguised unemployment, where more people are engaged in farming than necessary, resulting in reduced per capita productivity and income.
Lack of Industrial Growth: The increase in farm workers often highlights stagnation in industrial and service sectors, which traditionally provide better-paying and more stable jobs. This lack of diversification limits economic growth and widens income inequalities.
Rural Poverty: A growing farm workforce can exacerbate rural poverty, as most smallholder farmers and laborers earn meager incomes. Limited land and resources further strain rural livelihoods.
Policy Implications:
To address this, governments must focus on:
Skill Development: Equip rural populations for non-agricultural jobs.
Industrial Expansion: Promote manufacturing and services in rural and semi-urban areas.
Agricultural Reforms: Enhance productivity through technology, better market access, and supportive policies.
While agriculture remains vital for food security and employment, a growing farm workforce often reflects underlying economic weaknesses. Sustainable development requires creating diverse job opportunities outside farming to uplift rural economies and reduce poverty.
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