Youth in Agriculture: Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward in the Post-COVID-19 Scenario

It is reported that India is the largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses in the world. And the country accounts for 25 percent of global production, 27 per cent of world consumption and 14 percent of imports. The significance of agriculture sector could be gauged from the fact that though agriculture and allied sectors accounts for only 18 percent of India's GDP, more than half of the country's workforce depend upon for their life and livelihood in these sectors. Along with the faster urbanisation and modernisation in India, the agrarian base in the country was declining, much more than anticipated over the last one decade. During the field visits and interactions by the author with the farmers across the country during the last one decade, it was noted that not many youth get attracted towards agriculture. This aspect becomes more significant as the Government of India has set a target of doubling farmers' income by the year 2022. It is in this context that this paper discuss and analyse about the challenges, opportunities and the way forward of 'Youth in agriculture' in the traditional agrarian state of Bihar, especially in the post-COVID-19 scenario.