Agriculture is an important part of any country, and despite modern times, many people are still opting to return to farming as their career choice.
Most of the youth are still not open to the idea of agriculture as a source of personal income and livelihood. Our youth have a varied take on why they wouldn’t take up farming.
Anish Shah, 19, a MBBS student at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan says, “I have always been taught farming is a profession but not for the competitive world in which we are surviving today, not for the heights which one wants to achieve.”
For Ramesh Timsina being a farmer is not at the same par as it is being a doctor. He also points out other reasons why agriculture is a moot career choice for him. He states, “To be honest, I wouldn’t study agriculture and be a farmer. It’s not my passion though it is of great significance in our society. Also, perhaps it does not deserve as much dignity as professions like doctor, engineer, professor and the like in our society.”
However, he continues, “There are other aspects which do not lure me in this sector. Our government’s lack of clear vision, significant project and assistance and low earning, lack of dignity are the important factors that distract people like me from choosing agriculture.”
If those with power note what he’s saying then possibly more young people will opt for agriculture instead of turning away.
Grishma Gautam, 16, of AJ Wild Institute of Advanced Studies could be one of those young people. She opines, “I don’t see anything wrong in choosing farming as a career. If I don’t succeed in what I am aiming for, then maybe I could give it a try. After all I was born in an agricultural country so why can’t I study agriculture? Perhaps then I could change the old methods of farming and introduce some scientific and practical ones.”
Farming is difficult work, and respect should be allotted to those who grow our food, as told by Anis Malla. Anis says that while he has already decided his career, and agriculture never crossed his mind, he respects people who’re in agriculture. “Because someone will have to feed us and keep us alive,” he says.
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