India Loses 27,000 Hectares Farmland Threatening Livelihoods, Food Security

Farmers across various regions are facing significant challenges due to labor shortages and rising costs, impacting agricultural productivity and livelihoods. In northern Michigan, farms such as Cherry Bay Orchards heavily depend on foreign workers brought in through the H-2A visa program, which has seen a 50% increase in visas issued over five years; however, rising wages and associated employer costs are straining farmers financially. Similarly, Minnesota farms are experiencing fears of labor shortages due to freezes in labor programs and immigration uncertainties, threatening the stability of food production. In Bangladesh, land acquisition for infrastructure projects like the Khan Jahan Ali Airport has led to the displacement of thousands of farming families, who have lost their land and means of livelihood, forcing many into sharecropping or migration. Meanwhile, in the UK, dry weather and poor yields have caused shortages and price increases in straw and other livestock feed inputs, adding to the pressures on farmers. Additionally, job cuts in the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development raise concerns about the potential impact on agricultural support services and biosecurity, which are critical for the farming community.