The Migration of Agricultural Labour in India

Written By: Jagriti Shahi 

India’s agricultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation—not due to new crops or technologies alone, but because of a steady and persistent migration of rural labourers to cities. While the migration of people from villages to urban centres is not new, the recent shift is reshaping rural economies, leaving farmlands underutilised, and challenging traditional farming practices.

Why Labourers are Leaving Farms

1. Better Earning Opportunities in Cities Many farmers around metropolitan areas like Bengaluru are struggling to find workers. Labourers, even without formal education, can find urban jobs such as driving, factory work, or delivery services that pay more than farm work. For example, a driver in Bengaluru can earn a stable monthly income that often surpasses seasonal agricultural wages.

2. Rising Land Values and Idle Farms Around large cities, some farms remain uncultivated—not due to poor soil or lack of water, but because the owners are simply waiting for land values to rise before selling. With no labour available and farming costs increasing, holding land as an investment becomes more attractive than cultivating it.

3. Urban Migration from Villages In many rural areas, especially in interior Karnataka, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, the men have migrated to cities, leaving only women to work on nearby farms. This shifts agricultural responsibility onto fewer hands, often without adequate mechanisation support.

4. Educational Aspirations Families migrate to cities not only for jobs but also in search of better educational facilities for their children. Even when earnings are modest, parents prefer urban areas if it means improved access to schooling.

Land Fragmentation Over generations, family-owned farmland gets divided among heirs—9 acres becoming 3 acres, then 1 acre. Small plots often cannot sustain profitable farming, pushing the younger generation toward urban employment.

Data Snapshot: Labour Migration Trends in India

• Migration rate: 28.9% in 2020–21, with 26.5% in rural and 34.9% in urban areas; 10.8% moved for employment-related reasons.

• Inter-state migration: Around 9 million people per year (2011–2016) moved between states for work.

• Urbanisation forecast: Over 40% of India’s population will live in cities by 2030.

• Agriculture’s share in jobs: Still at ~44% of total employment (2023) despite urban pull.

• Reverse migration during COVID: Between 2017/18 and 2022/23, 48 million of 100 million new jobs were in agriculture as people returned to villages.

• Unemployment trends: Rural unemployment fell from 5.3% (2017–18) to 2.5% (2023–24), tightening labour supply.

• Mechanisation gap: Farm mechanisation is ~40–45% in India versus over 90% in developed countries.

• Total internal migrants: Estimated 402 million in 2023, with long-term migration rates down from 37.6% (2011) to 28.9%.

Impact on Agriculture

• Rising Labour Costs: With fewer available workers, farm labour wages are increasing.

• Idle Farmland: Many plots near urban centres are lying fallow.

• Limited Mechanisation: Small farm sizes make it difficult to use large-scale machinery effectively.

• Dependency on Migrant Workers: Villages now depend on labour from other districts or even other states, creating logistical and cultural challenges.

Emerging Trends and Solutions

1. Labour Supply Companies Just as Canada has begun sourcing agricultural labourers from West Bengal, some Indian companies are starting to provide verified, trained workers to farms. These agencies handle worker documentation, wages, and benefits.

2. Improving Rural Job Stability Farmers can attract and retain workers by offering:

3. Mechanisation for Small Farms Although large tractors may not suit fragmented land, smaller, multi-use machines and cooperative ownership models could make mechanisation affordable for smallholders.

4. Rural Education and Infrastructure Investment By improving schools and healthcare in rural areas, families may be less inclined to migrate purely for better living conditions.

5. Farmland Consolidation Initiatives Policy reforms encouraging cooperative farming or land leasing can make small plots more viable by pooling resources and increasing efficiency.

A Farmer’s Voice

In one village, local farmhands have moved to Mumbai and even Bangkok for work, leaving no one to carry out basic farm tasks. “Now we have to bring people from far-off villages,” a farmer explained, “and pay for their travel, accommodation, and higher wages.” This example reflects a broader pattern across India’s agricultural heartlands.

Conclusion

Labour migration is not merely a symptom of rural decline—it is a complex phenomenon driven by economic opportunity, education, and land-use trends. While it presents serious challenges for Indian agriculture, it also opens doors for innovation in labour management, mechanisation, and rural development. Addressing the issue requires coordinated efforts from farmers, government bodies, and private enterprises to ensure that agriculture remains a viable and attractive livelihood.