TARIGHAT, India – Ranjit Singh’s 48 acres makes him a large farmer in India.
Singh, which means landowner in the Hindu caste system, inherited the land from his father, who inherited it from his father.
The farm, in the state of Uttar Pradesh bordering Nepal, used to be larger, but it has slowly been divided over the years among uncles and other family members.
Singh doubts his two sons and daughter will follow in his footsteps. They will likely head for more lucrative jobs in the city.
Either way, the farm will be divided again among remaining relatives.
Unlike in Canada, where farmers are getting larger, farms in India are getting smaller.
This combined with a labour shortage and lack of mechanization has many questioning the future of India’s farmers.
