Engaging rural youth in strengthening the local food movement in India

Abstract

First paragraph: In India, traditional agriculture has historically been a subsistence-oriented, labor-intensive, closed-loop, and varied production system. Farm­ing has long formed the foundation of the rural economy and served as a means of subsistence for local communities. Until a few decades ago, rural youth were actively choosing farming as a career, serving as the main workforce in a variety of agri­cultural enterprises. However, most of today’s youth do not want to work in low-value agricul­ture. Instead, they migrate to urban areas, within or outside of their home states where there are not many opportunities for quality work, social ser­vices, or protection. Responding to these con­straints through more inclusive changes in rural areas and through the alignment of rural-urban linkages is a significant challenge. It is crucial to look at opportunities and address obstacles in order to ensure that agriculture is economically viable and provides year-round employment for young people in rural India. . . .