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Teachers of economics in colleges affiliated to Mangalore University are on a mission to bring the youth back to agriculture.
Vigneshwara Varmudy, President of Mangalore University Economics Association (an association of professors of economics), told Business Line that the migration of youths from agriculture sector to other sectors will have far-reaching consequences.
Parents’ grouse Varmudy, a professor of economics at Vivekananda College in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, said a common grouse of parents was the lack of interest in agriculture among the youngsters. In many cases, parents had sought the help of teachers to make students understand the importance of agriculture.
Taking these points into consideration, the association has come out with a campaign with the theme ‘save agriculture, serve agriculture’ to bring youths back into agriculture.
To be conducted till the end of the academic year 2014-15, it will be implemented through seminars, guest lectures and field visits in association with colleges.
Of the 192 colleges coming under Mangalore University, 150 teach economics in BA, BCom and BBM curriculum. Around 60,000 students are studying economics in these colleges.
Action plan Varmudy said students will be taught on various aspects of agricultural activities, and they will be made to interact with successful youth farmers during field visits. The campaign will also analyse the causes for the migration of youths from agriculture and suggest the measures, he said.
On the reason for youths moving away from agriculture, he said, was because many parents keep highlighting the negative aspects of agriculture with their children. Even if some are interested in it, they do not get proper guidance.
To a query on the prospects of the success of this campaign, he said: “I feel that at least 40 per cent of students listened to my advice in 30 years of my experience as a teacher. If at least 20 per cent of students come back to agriculture because of this campaign, I feel we can consider it a success.”
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