Human Resources in Agriculture
Definition; Human resources refer to the people engaged directly or indirectly in agricultural activities, including farmers, farm laborers, scientists, extension workers, agripreneurs, input suppliers, policymakers, and others involved in the agricultural value chain.
In agriculture, human resource means both the quantity (number of people available) and the quality (education, skills, health, experience, and innovation capacity) of manpower.
Components of Human Resources in Agriculture
- Farmers – Landowners or cultivators who make decisions on cropping patterns, farm inputs, and management
- Farm Labourers – Skilled or unskilled workers engaged in sowing, irrigation, harvesting, etc.
- Agricultural Scientists & Researchers – Innovators of new technologies, improved varieties, and sustainable practices
- Extension Workers – Link between research institutions and farmers for technology dissemination
- Agri-Entrepreneurs – Promote agribusiness, value addition, and marketing innovations
- Policy Makers & Administrators – Formulate agriculture-related policies and schemes
Importance of Human Resources in Agricultural Development
Aspect | Role of Human Resources | Example |
Production Efficiency | Skilled farmers use resources (land, water, fertilizers) efficiently | SRI (System of Rice Intensification) adopted in Tamil Nadu due to farmer training |
Technology Adoption | Educated and trained farmers adopt new technologies faster | Drip irrigation in Maharashtra |
Innovation & Research | Scientists develop improved varieties, better practices | Development of high-yielding wheat by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan |
Market Linkages | Agripreneurs and traders connect farmers to national/international markets | e-NAM online market platform |
Sustainability | Human resources promote eco-friendly practices | Organic farming training by KVKs |
Capacity Building | Trained extension workers strengthen farmer skills | ATMA and KVK training programs |
Rural Employment | Agriculture-related industries provide jobs | Dairy cooperatives, agro-processing units |
Challenges Related to Human Resources in Agriculture
- Low literacy among rural farmers
- Migration of youth to urban areas
- Lack of technical training
- Gender inequality in agricultural decision-making
- Ageing farmer population in many regions
Measures to Improve Human Resources in Agriculture
- Agricultural Education: Strengthening agricultural universities, diploma courses, skill development centers
- Training & Capacity Building: KVKs, ATMA, Farmer Field Schools
- Youth Engagement: Programs like ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) by ICAR
- Digital Literacy: Promoting ICT tools, e-extension, and mobile-based advisory
- Women Empowerment: Training programs, SHGs, and credit access for women farmers
- Health & Nutrition: Ensuring healthy manpower for agricultural activities
Competitive Exam Pointers
- Human capital = Skills + Knowledge + Health of manpower
- In India, about 43% (2023) of the workforce is engaged in agriculture (declining trend)
- ICAR & SAUs are major institutions for agricultural HRD
- Programs like NATP, NAIP, ARYA, MANAGE trainings focus on HR development in agriculture
