Youth of Meghalaya in Agriculture: A Boon or Burden

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.

Saleng resigns as Assembly’s PAC chairman

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 20: Congress legislator from Gambegre Saleng A Sangma has resigned as chairman of the Assembly’s public accounts committee (PAC).

Sangma told reporters he has resigned as PAC chairman because he was also appointed as opposition chief whip.

He said this was after the recent amendment of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly that “the chairman of the committee shall be appointed by the Speaker from amongst members of the committee who are not appointed to any post in the Assembly Secretariat equivalent to the rank and status of a minister or minister of state”.

Earlier during the session, deputy chief minister-in-charge of parliamentary affairs Prestone Tynsong had informed that the resignation of Saleng has been accepted and the Assembly will elect a new chairman as per rule.

“Whereas Shri Saleng A Sangma, Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts has resigned from Chairmanship of Committee on Public Accounts and it was accepted, this Assembly do now elect another one member in accordance with Rule 242 (1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly to fill up the vacancy for the remaining term of the said Committee,” Tynsong said. He said the Commissioner & Secretary to notify the date, time and place of holding the election, if necessary.

Science and Commerce college, Mawphlang nears completion

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 20: The physical progress of the construction of the science and commerce college at Mawphlang is 72 per cent.

Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma in his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday informed that the project was sanctioned at Rs 36.55 crore on June 30, 2017, out of which Rs 14.815 crore has been spent so far.

He said that the stipulated date for completion of the project is March next year.

He said that the classes will commence in this college after the completion of the construction of buildings and on completion of academic procedures.

State has over 510 dilapidated LP, Secondary schools

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: Over 510 lower primary and secondary schools across the State are in a dilapidated condition.

This was informed by Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma in his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly today.

Out of this, 495 are government lower primary schools and 15 are government secondary schools, Sangma said.

He said the 43 schools are covered for construction/renovation under phase 1, 20 – phase 2 and 332 – phase 3.

He said that the remaining 115 schools will be proposed for construction/renovation in the future phases.

Scuffle between NEHU students not communal

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) today said the recent scuffle among students residing in the hostel was in no way related to communal issues.

The Monday night incident, which involved a verbal altercation and physical confrontation among students residing in the hostel, was related to disagreements regarding the rules and regulations governing hostel life.

Immediate action was taken to diffuse the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of all students involved.

The Dean of Students Welfare, the Warden of Hostel 19 and the University’s Security Officer promptly arrived at the scene to pacify the situation and maintain order.

Furthermore, local law enforcement was notified of the incident, and they promptly arrived on the NEHU premises to assess the situation and assist in maintaining peace and order.

The NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof PS Shukla today convened a high-level meeting to address the incident comprehensively. The meeting was attended Registrar, the Dean of Students Welfare, Proctor, Security Officer, and the Warden of Hostel No. 19.

“The purpose of this meeting was to thoroughly discuss the matter and ensure that due disciplinary actions are taken in accordance with the rules and regulations of the University,” NEHU PRO Dr Davidson Pyngrope said in a statement.

“NEHU wishes to emphasize that the situation has been brought under control, and the incident was in no way related to communal issues, as falsely reported by various sources. The University remains committed to upholding a safe and inclusive environment for all students, and any breaches of conduct will be addressed with utmost seriousness and adherence to established protocols,” he said.

Meanwhile, NEHU urged all stakeholders, including staff, students, parents, and the general public, to rely on official statements and verified information provided by the University to avoid spreading baseless rumours or misinformation.

“The University remains dedicated to the holistic development and well-being of its student community and will continue to take all necessary steps to maintain a harmonious and conducive learning environment,” Prof Pyngrope said.

BJP for better education in Sohiong

Candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Seraph Eric Kharbuki has assured to fight for a degree college and a residential school in Sohiong constituency if elected as MLA in the upcoming election to be held on May 10.

Spelling out his priorities, Kharbuki told reporters today that his decision to contest in the up-coming is to become a leader or a people’s representative who will frame laws and policy and not merely a leader who is only concerned in distributing MLA schemes.

Kharbuki said that his objective of contesting the by-election is to serve the public of the constituency especially when it comes to education and to able to come up with policy that will benefit the farmers of the constituency and the state as whole

He added that he had vision for the need to have a degree college in Lum Diengiei and an Eklavya Residential School.

“Apart from schools and colleges in the constituency, I have also listed out in the manifesto to have a agriculture and horticulture office, state bank of India and Apex bank in Lum Diengiei, to promote tourism and sports in the constituency by constructing two mini stadium” said Kharbuki.

Kharbuki also stressed on the need to legalize direct funding through corpus funds to all Dorbar Shnong in order to implement various developmental schemes in all villages and to install street lights in various important localities in the constituency.

Teachers unhappy with non-release of dues

The All Meghalaya Fourth Teachers Association Garo Hills Unit (AM4thTA GHU) has expressed unhappiness due to the non-release of their three–month salary.

The association said that the 4th teachers are yet to receive their salary for January to March 2023 and are facing lots of problems with their daily wages even going to school.

The association in its memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Education Minister Rakkam Sangma and also to the DSEL officers too on March 17 had demanded regularization of 1521 fourth teachers services, equal salary at par with Adhoc Upper Primary School teachers and to ensure regular disbursement of salary to teachers respective accounts and 5 per cent annual increment for Meghalaya 4th Teachers.

“If the MDA 2.0 government neglects the teachers’ salary then how will the teachers go to school with an empty stomach and empty pockets as they are without salary for three months? Therefore, the association requested the chief minister and education minister to look into the matter and ensure speedy release of our 3-month salary,” the president of the association Tengrang K Sangma said.