How to Create More Employment
Current situation
Considerable under-employment in agriculture
There is also a lot of unemployment
In Agriculture
Takes bank loan for well construction
Able to irrigate land
Plants second crop in rabi season
One hectare can provide employment for 2 people for 50 days - sowing, watering, applying fertilizer, harvesting
If government builds a dam and constructs canals to irrigate many farms, many more can be employed in agricultural sector
Eg: Laxmi has 2 hectares of un-irrigated land
Reduces under-employment in agriculture
In Transportation & Storage
If farmers produce more, they would be able to sell some of the crops they produce
If the government invests in transportation & storage of crops or makes better rural roads so that mini trucks can reach rural areas, several farmers who have now access to water can grow more crops & sell it
Besides farmers, this will provide employment to those in services such as transport & trade
Low interest loans
Besides water, farmers need seeds, fertilizers, agricultural equipments, pumps etc
A poor farmer may have to borrow money to buy these
Moneylenders charge a high rate of interest
Low interest loans to farmers will increase employment
If a local bank is able to provide the farmer a loan at reasonable interest rate, the farmer will be able to buy the necessary items and cultivate his land
Promote industries that support agriculture in semi-rural areas
Eg 1- In a place where farmers grow pulse crops, setting up of a dal mill to process the pulses and sell in cities will generate employment
Eg 2 - Opening a cold storage would help farmers store crops such as onions & potatoes & sell them when the price is good
Eg 3 - Setting up of honey collection centres near forest areas would help farmers to sell wild honey
Eg 4 - Setting up of industries that process vegetables and cereals such as potato, sweet potato, tomato, fruits, rice, wheat etc so that it can be sold in outside markets
Such industries will provide employment in semi-rural areas