Farmers abandoning agriculture: What can we do to change this?

"If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else in the country would have a chance to go right," M. S. Swaminathan, the father of the green revolution in India, famously said.
Regrettably, it appears that this concern is becoming a reality these days! Do you have any idea how many farmers wish to retire from farming? Is there anything you can guess?
According to a recent media article by the Times of India, approximately 42% of Indian farmers do not want to continue farming and instead choose to live in cities. And the majority of those who believe they will never be able to leave agriculture and dwell in the city want their children to do so as well. According to a survey conducted by Gaon Connection, around 48% of farmers do not want their children to pursue farming. While 13.9 % say they want their children to pursue a career in agriculture, the youngsters are uninterested. When we add the results of a poll performed by CSDS Delhi in 2018, the numbers become even more shocking. According to the findings of this survey, up to 76% of Indian farmers wish to stop farming!
This information is undoubtedly terrifying. Isn't that so?
It is, without a doubt. But the main question is why, since India is an agriculturally-based economy, so many of its farmers desire to abandon farming?
Well, there isn't a single issue that is causing farmers to lose interest in farming; rather, a number of interconnected elements are contributing to this trend. These are some of the factors:

1. Profits are falling and losses are rising
Most farmers who wish to stop farming state that they are losing money, which is increasing all the time, while others believe that they are making very little money relative to the amount of work they perform. It doesn't have to happen in the same way every time. 

2. Look for greater possibilities and a better way of life
In the country, there is a perception that city life is more affluent and less chaotic. Unfortunately, this is true to some extent. A large number of farmers wish to go to the city in quest of better possibilities, medical care, and job opportunities. According to a recent media report by live mint, an average farmer's monthly income is roughly Rs 3,800, while even the lowest-paying central government position gets Rs 22,000 per month. Most farmers are urging their younger generations to focus on finding a job in the city rather than continuing farming because of the significant disparity in salaries. That is where the government should concentrate its efforts in order to prevent migration from rural to urban regions.

3 Changing weather patterns
Climate change is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, and crops are heavily reliant on it. Higher temperatures can impair crop output and encourage the spread of weeds and pests.
As a result, the farmer's profit is reduced, prompting him to abandon the business and seek alternative sources of revenue.  Nearly 70% of farmers in a poll indicated that unseasonal rainfall, drought, floods, and pest infestations ruined their crops.
Many other issues, such as the lack of available loans or loans at higher rates, as well as farmers ignorance of government subsidies and programmes, lead farmers to abandon their farms and establish roots in metropolitan areas.

Why is it harmful to the economy?
Farmers declining interest in agriculture is also detrimental for the economy, as agriculture accounts for 18 % income. As a result, a drop in agriculture will almost certainly result in a drop in the economy. However, the most essential fact is that agriculture is the country's primary source of food. And if farmers continue to abandon farming at this rate, there may be a severe food shortage very soon. This would result in a significant increase in the price of food, which would be a major issue.
Agriculture is also a significant source of raw materials for India's numerous industries. Agro-based businesses account for about half of the entire income earned in the industrial sector. (source), implying that a drop in agriculture would reduce the availability of raw materials, raising the cost of these businesses goods. As a result of the farmers declining interest in agriculture, overall inflation will result.

It is also harmful to farmers
Farmers indifference in agriculture is harmful not only for the economy, but also for the farmers. To begin with, there is already so much unemployment and fierce competition in India that even many highly educated young people are having difficulty finding work. As a result, finding excellent work for farmers will be difficult.
Second, many new technological advancements are being developed in the agricultural industry, and many companies are working hard to supply contemporary farming equipment at the lowest feasible cost. Moreover, several government and business institutions, as well as NGOs, are working to boost agricultural production. On the other hand, although food demand continues to rise, the number of farmers does not. As a result, we may predict that farming will soon return to being a profitable enterprise.

So, what can we do to improve the situation?
As we all know, separating farmers from their fields is harmful for both the country and the farmers. Now the question is, how can we make a difference? The following points provide the answer.

1. By giving more information and advice
Knowledge is a powerful tool. Giving a poor guy a fish will only feed him for that day, but teaching him how to catch a fish will ensure that he never goes hungry again. The same may be said for agriculture. The majority of farmers are unaware of current, scientific farming methods. As a result, supplying them with useful information and advice from agricultural professionals would undoubtedly boost their profits.

2. By delivering higher-quality seeds at a lower cost
Many farmers say that the seeds they buy from various sources are excessively expensive and don't guarantee greater yields. The government can address this problem by regulating seed pricing and establishing some quality standards.
Farmers must also be informed about the government's programmes, as more than 60% of farmers are uninformed of the government's minimum support price.

3. Weather forecast in real time
Another big issue that farmers confront is a sudden shift in the weather. Providing live weather forecasts can also assist them in taking the appropriate decisions in a timely manner. They can protect their crops against unexpected changes in climate, such as unseasonal rain or fog, by doing so. Although there are platforms for getting weather updates, the majority of them provide national or state-wide weather reports. Farmers, on the other hand, must be aware of the weather prediction for their specific area in order to take appropriate action.
Although it is true that many farming families have left agriculture in quest of better prospects in recent years, this has had a significant influence on our country's economy. However, things are beginning to change. Not only is the government putting more emphasis on agriculture, but numerous new agriculture-related start-ups are also emerging to assist farmers in improving their profits. Agri-tech advancements and inventions would assist them in lowering costs and thereby increasing profits. As a result, we may predict that agriculture will soon become a multibillion-dollar industry with numerous potential for other businesses.