By Snehal Athawale and Ram Singh

A common stereotype persists that agriculture is primarily the domain of the older generation. Therefore, the demography of Indian agriculture is changing fast mainly because younger people are leaving farming. This is particularly noticeable among the youth from rural areas in the North East Region (NER) of India who are moving to cities for better-paying jobs. Findings from the State of Working India (SWI) report for 2023 shed light on this transformation. The report reveals a substantial increase in non-agricultural employment, signalling a significant migration of people away from agriculture. As India’s GDP has doubled, the share of agricultural employment has declined by 15.5 percentage points. India stands as a youthful nation with a median age of 28.2 years, distinguishing it from its neighbour China where a median age is 39 years. However, a pressing concern arises from the SWI report, which highlights the unemployment challenges faced by India’s young graduates. Shockingly, 42.3% of those under 25 years of age struggle to secure employment opportunities despite holding degrees.

In a concerning trend, the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2021-22 had revealed that most northeastern states in India are grappling with higher unemployment rates than the national average. However, the extent and nature of unemployment in the region remain inadequately understood. In reality, very few attempts have been made in the past to explain the diverse dimensions of unemployment at regional levels in India.  According to recent data from Consumer Pyramids Household Survey (CMIE’s), the overall unemployment rate for the country decreased to 7.1% in September 2023, marking a significant drop from the 8.1% rate reported a month earlier in August.

In NER, the share of the youth population surpasses that of the country as a whole, both in rural and urban areas. Between 2001 and 2011, the youth population in the NER exhibited a growth rate of two percent annually. This demographic surge in the youth population can be a valuable resource if harnessed effectively but also a potential risk if mismanaged. Meghalaya’s youth demographic is particularly noteworthy, with over 74% falling within the under 35 years of the total state’s population. Acknowledging this, Meghalaya’s Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, emphasized, “The demand for jobs is substantial, and it is not feasible for the Government to readily accommodate everyone.” Accordance with this challenge, the strategic absorption of exuberance of youth in agriculture and allied sectors, often referred to as agripreneurship, assumes a pivotal role. Meghalaya’s diverse climate, agrobiodiversity and a fertile landscape provide a robust foundation for a variety of crops and associated enterprises. The state is the habitat for numerous indigenous fruits like Sohphie, Sohiong, Khasi mandarin, Kew pineapples etc., while also being a hub for its culinary odyssey. Earlier, Lakadong turmeric, Garo Dakmanda (traditional dress), Larnai pottery and Garo Chubitchi (alcoholic beverage) has been awarded with Geographical Indication (GI) tag which underscore the state’s commitment to preserving its cultural identity. With these opportunities, the youth stand poised as a boon to agriculture, equipped with the potential to elevate traditional practices with the age-old wisdom in the state.

However, as India’s agriculture undergoes a significant transformation, there remains a potential concern about retaining youth in the farming sector. A quote from Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, one of world’s most distinguished agricultural scientists captures this challenge, “In the coming years, one of the biggest challenges for Indian agriculture would be retaining its youth in agriculture. Unless farming becomes both intellectually stimulating and economically rewarding, it will be difficult to attract or retain rural youth in farming.”

Grasping these challenges, the Government of India introduced the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in May 2020, with a goal of investing in agriculture-related infrastructure. Meghalaya secured INR 190 crore for this scheme in 2020-21. The AIF actively encourages private and public investments in various facets of agriculture infrastructure, including irrigation, transportation, and post-harvest facilities. Along with this, the Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) project is implemented in Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.

Recognizing these issues, Meghalaya’s government also took a significant step in July 2021 by approving the Meghalaya Youth Policy, 2021 by acknowledging the enormity of the job demand in the state. Recently, the government launched the flagship program CM Elevate, designed to promote entrepreneurship and job creation in the state. Over the next five years, the program will support 20,000 beneficiaries with a total investment of INR 300 crore ($40 million). While commendable programs like PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-Driven Enterprises) and Chief Minister’s E-Champion Challenge, the state earned recognition as a Top Performer State at the National Startup Awards, 2022 held as part of the National Startup Day celebrations recently.

FOCUS (Farmers Collectivization for Upscaling Production and Marketing System) is already underway in the state, targeting youth engagement in agriculture and agripreneurship, there still remains an apparent need to infuse allure and enthusiasm into the agricultural sector for the purpose of retaining the youth within it. Altogether, a comprehensive evaluation of the ongoing policies and programs, both at the micro and macro levels is needed. This necessity further emphasizes the call for the establishment of specific, results-driven programs and policies dedicated to addressing this issue.

Snehal Athawale is a Ph.D. Scholar (Agricultural Economics), School of Social Sciences, College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Economics, Umiam, Meghalaya.

Ram Singh is a Professor (Agricultural Economics), School In charge of School of Social Sciences, College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Economics, Umiam and Dean College of Agriculture, Kyrdemkulai, Meghalaya.

The East Jaintia National Council (EJNC) has demanded action against the illegal transportation of coal to the cement plants in the East Jaintia Hills district from outside the state.

In a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills district, the EJNC said, “We do fervently request you to kindly take necessary action to stop such illegal transportation/import of coal in Meghalaya, especially in East Jaintia Hills District, from outside the state.”

According to them, a good number of trucks import coal to cement plants in the district “without valid documents”.

The EJNC also demanded that direction be given to the DMR check gates and police department to stop such illegal import of coal without any valid documents.

“If such illegal transportation/import is not stopped, there will be a hue and cry in the society since only a few unfair businessmen are freely doing their business,” it warned.

The EJNC alleged that the “unfair businessmen” never adhere to the guidelines of the Notification issued by the Mining and Geology department on November 8, 2022 and said that any transportation of coal or any mineral into Meghalaya or through Meghalaya to Bangladesh requires the approval of the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mining and Geology department.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 4: The Meghalaya High Court today said how far back the roster system would be made applicable, these are policy matters that are best left to the legislature and the executive of the state.

In its order, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee has dismissed a PIL filed by one Greneth M Sangma without going into the merits of the matter pertaining to the roster system for reserved seats in the State and said, “The Court may be called upon to look into the matter at a more appropriate stage.”

The Court said the judicial notice needs to be taken of the discussions pertaining to the roster in the new Assembly.

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“However, it does not appear that any decision has yet been taken as to a cut-off date or the like or how far back the roster system would be made applicable. These are policy matters that are best left to the legislature and the executive and upon a firm stand being taken, it will be open to any citizen affected thereby to question the propriety thereof in accordance with law,” it said while adding that “As of now, and without a decision in such regard having been taken by the Assembly which is actively discussing the matter, the present petition should not be entertained.”

The Court also stated that this petition, apparently filed in the public interest, appears to be an attempt to muddy the already disturbed waters.

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The order said it was discovered in the year 2022, quite accidentally in course of a service matter before a Division Bench of this Court, that though the reservation policy had been in place in this State since its inception in January, 1972, there was no roster that had been prepared.

Accordingly, this Court took suo motu cognisance of such irregularity and required all appointments to be stayed till a roster was prepared.

Certain ancillary directions were also issued. A roster was prepared.

The Court noticed that a roster had been prepared and the matter was given a quietus without going into the veracity of the roster that was prepared and upon prima facie satisfaction that the roster adhered to the extent of reservation of about 85 per cent that is in vogue in the State, the order stated.