Presentation: Globalisation at Farmers’ expense

Globalisation at Farmers’ expense

It would appear that Globalization has not done the same with farmers in my country; their situation is different from my suffering. As far as my understanding, more than 20 years ago, farmers led a simple, but happy life; they were satisfied with their low living standard because they could do nothing to help themselves get out of the bad situation. Then, Globalization came to our country when the open economic policies were applied. As a result, foreign investment and technologies have been transferred to my nation at a very rapid pace. Our country’ face is changing.

The farmers’ land which used to be their only means to earn a living has been taken away for national industrialization and modernization such as to establish thousands of industrial zones and manufacturing sites. In order to take the land for that purpose, the government has to compensate farmers for their loss by paying them some money. With money in hand, farmers may have thought of buying something to improve their living quality such as motorbikes, bigger houses, but they forget that they need some training for their future.

As soon as they spent all their compensation, how you think they can earn a living? It is very difficult for them to do that because they have nothing in hand. So are there any ways out for them? Of course, yes:
1) Farmers can make long-term investment for their children to get higher education with a hope that their next generations will have a better position in the society;
2) Some young people may find jobs and work for companies, both domestic and international, in the lands they sold before. They also have to accept to be exploited with long working shifts, from 12 up to 16 hours a day and low payment;

3) Some older people have to join a long queue of unemployment and go to cities to search for seasonal or part-time jobs like baby-sitting, construction works… and whatever to make money.
In my point of view, more or less, globalization has made a number of farmers in my country become paid employees in their lands. However, I do hope they will be paid back when my country move into a better stage of development and this is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you very much. And any questions?