From Farmer’s Diary

Some 13 years before
one of our father’s cousin in our Village sold 2.5 acres of agricultural land for 8 lakhs rupees for his daughter’s marriage and clear his debt. The person who bought this land was residing in a city. Being in our Village, i have never seen this person( the person who bought the land) coming or working in the field. He asked our Village uncle from whom he bought the land to look after his farm. I think over the years, he would have realised it can’t be profitable. But after some years,he sold the same land of 2.5 acres for 28 lakhs and then the second purchaser also reselled the same land of 2.5 acres for 35 lakhs. Now the cost of one acre has come to more than 3O lakhs. Whoever has bought the land are from city side.

In my child hood, I have seen crops like paddy, turmeric etc , growing well in that farm. But now the farm is left as such in recent years. They have few coconut trees which they water and maintain for namesake. I have many such stories.That village uncle’s family is now surviving because his daughter is married to an IT employer and son is working in a company in Chennai with a good salary. Like this, all my current generation has migrated to other cities,states and countries. They are all well living, since they are well paid.

There are some men who have crossed 40 ,45 years of age in our Village, not yet married because since they are doing agriculture, no one is ready to give bride to them because of poor income.

We have some helpers who have crossed 45 or 50 years of age in our Village. Once they grow, we won’t get even the helpers that we get now.

Some thoughts:

The cost of agricultural land has increased because of the city people who thinks like they can own a farm and come and enjoy as a family on week ends. But to be Frank, they couldn’t come and stay as they think. If these people owns agricultural land, think about the quality of future food production.

If any of you have lived in a village, you would be aware that For a farmer, what ever they grow,its
like their own children.

During winter season, even in chillness , they have to milk the cow and pour it in the society. Whether it is scorching sun or pouring rain or heavy wind, they have to take care of their crops.
None of the farmers prefer to go for a trip or even a picnic because they can’t leave their children ( cows, goat, hen or crops) and go. The other reason, their revenue also will not allow them to think.

India is an agricultural country once ..A doctor family will wish or feel happy ( mostly), when their children become a doctor. It goes similarly with other profession but none of the farmer wishes their children to do agriculture.

Now I see very rarely here and there, some people who have earned a little in IT or by other means buy few acres of agriculture and do it on their own as a family.
But with that , will the whole society be feeded with healthy food in Future?

what is the purpose of education then?
Is it like migrating the village people to urban in the name of education.

What do we need for a healthy and happy life ..

What is the role of agriculture in it….
What is the role of farmer then..

If a mother feeds the whole family, then it means the farmers feeds the whole society. So whose responsibility, it is to take care of farmers.
…..
My thoughts again:

Should I have to work on quality in agriculture or marketing in agriculture?

What I have shared are my feelings from a Farmer’s family. If I have been rude somewhere, apologies.

I am open for new ideas and suggestions that healthily adds value to agriculture.

Thank you