Reviving Smallholder Hill Farming by Involving Rural Youth in Food System Transformation and Promoting Community-Based Agri-Ecotourism: A Case of Uttarakhand State in North-Western India

Abstract

Until recent decades, labour-intensive subsistence farming was a way of life and livelihood in the hill communities of Uttarakhand, India. However, the nature of agriculture falls far short of the expectations of the main labour force, the rural youth, leading to their mass migration to non-agricultural occupations. The large-scale youth migration has left many hill farming landscapes depopulated and farmlands abandoned. As youth have special stakes in food systems, they must be included in the sustainable transformation of food systems. By doing so, the migration-prone hill region may be transformed into a place where rural youth have more options for work and income. Therefore, the agriculture sector needs to change and develop into a more engaging and youthful workplace. There are opportunities to explore and barriers to be removed. Besides identifying priority research areas on local food systems, in this exploratory research, we investigate opportunities to involve rural young people in the transformation of the food system. We document information by conducting focus group discussion (FGD) meetings in about 100 villages in the Uttarakhand hills, representing all major farming landscapes. This study mainly focuses on improving the production and consumption aspects of local food, which not only benefits the health and wellbeing of local communities but also has many positive economic, social, and environmental effects. In addition, we explore opportunities for reviving mountain agriculture through agri-ecotourism, which is a symbiotic relationship between tourism and agriculture. Making home- or farm stays in agri-ecotourism a subsistence strategy for local youth will contribute to a more prosperous rural economy. Recognising Uttarakhand’s rich culture and heritage while exploring the culinary travel opportunities in homestays will provide opportunities to focus more on traditional food systems, exposing various tangible and intangible aspects of the host region’s food culture to tourists. The findings of this study will aid in identifying specific policy issues for consideration by planners and policymakers at the local and state levels. Additionally, this exploratory study will assist young, motivated researchers in conducting follow-up, in-depth investigations and producing empirical data in their specialised fields.

Beekeeping as a Tool for Sustainable Rural Development

“…The practice often involves collective action, as beekeepers collaborate in cooperatives or associations to share knowledge, resources, and marketing channels. These collaborative structures not only facilitate skills transfer and capacity building but also promote social capital and solidarity among community members [11]. Moreover, beekeeping can provide opportunities for women and youth to engage in income-generating activities and contribute to household welfare, thereby addressing gender disparities and youth unemployment in rural areas [12].…”

Untitled

“…In our recent exploratory case study on hill farming (Rana & Bisht, 2023), we investigated ways in which young people from rural areas could be included in the changes being made to the food system. Youth across the globe are demanding three fundamental changes to improve access to nutritious foods and enhance food system resilience: (a) ensure that young people are part of the necessary overhaul and widespread transformation of food systems; (b) enhance food system resilience through food system transformation; and (c) enforce food system transformation through healthier and more sustainably produced and consumed foods (Glover & I Sumberg, 2020).…”

The Role of the Forest Recreation Industry in China’s National Economy: An Input–Output Analysis

“…As members of the cluster are complementary and mutually dependent, a host of linkages among members results in a whole greater than the sum of its parts. In the process of forest recreation consumption, in addition to direct revenue, it can also trigger the need for tourism companies to purchase products and services from other companies, then cause an indirect impact to create new employment opportunities and increase residential income [15]. Forest recreation demand also leads to an increase in infrastructure, while it has also become a significant factor not only in forest planning but also in regional planning and county development plans [16].…”