Agriculture is seldom the preferred career choice. Amid the growing concern worldwide that young people have become disenchanted with agriculture, there is a sudden surge in efforts to engage the youth in the sector.
Agriculture is described as the science, art, or occupation concerning cultivating land, raising livestock and farming. However, if we delve deeper, we will find that there are a number of specialized fields within the sector.
The importance of agriculture across the world is paramount and undeniable. Many countries rely on it for sustenance as the sector acts as a catalyst for economic growth. It has an array of benefits. Apart from the usual ones like food production and consumption, the study of agriculture is also linked to clothing, medicine and other sectors.
Thus, in addition to providing food and raw material, agriculture also provides employment opportunities to a very large percentage of the population.
Below is a list of six reasons why the young should consider studying agriculture.
- Innovations attract young entrepreneurs: Young techie minds have now made agriculture a field vibrant with effective innovations. Agriculture is an untapped resource of development. Young entrepreneurs hoping to make a mark can look at this sector.
2. Heal the world: Agriculture is up to four times more effective than other sectors in reducing poverty. A stable agricultural sector ensures food security for a nation. And, food security, in turn, prevents malnourishment – a major impediment to growth.
3. Contribute to national revenue: For most developing countries, agriculture is the main source of national income. Agricultural products like sugar, tea, coffee and spices and often the major export items. Agricultural items account for approximately 18% of the entire value of a country’s export. Thus, it is an important source of earning for a nation as well. Therefore, economic development relies majorly on the agricultural growth rate.
4. Low risk: The risk factor in this sector is comparatively lower. Low risk agribusiness requires low investment and smartly done management practice. In case of low risk agribusinesses, which is ideal for newcomers in the field, the initial investment is low, the risk can be mitigated easily and the losses are of small scale and bearable.
5. Business opportunities: Agriculture is a vast sector. There are some major and money-making business ideas related to this sector. To name a few, poultry farming, dairy farming, organic farming are all business ideas with a good profitable margin.
6. Employment: Agriculture is not only about the land and the farmer. One needs a proper irrigation mechanism, a drainage system and other ancillary industries to support it. Thus, there is a huge scope of employment in this sector.
Summing up
No farmer, no food and no future. It is clear from the above discussion that it is impossible to overstate the value of agriculture. The sector has enormous potential for eradicating poverty. Our quality of living will increase considerably through studies and research on agriculture. Thus, agriculture needs energy and passionate team players and who better than the young minds.
Whatever motivates you to study agriculture, know that you’ll become a part of an industry that is necessary, fast-paced and tech-driven. You will be contributing to food production, science, reduction in world hunger and economic growth amongst other things.