I am looking for a good word or short phrase to communicate the fact that an action or an institution is needed, available, in common practice, meaningful, useful, and implemented. It should have some regard to the passage of time. In the following sentences, I use the phrase "need and course" to communicate that meaning, but I ma looking for a better, widely accepted word or phrase

Even in our automated society of high technology, there is still a "need and course" to farm by hand.

Even in our age of advanced military technology and magic, there is still a "need and course" for hand to hand combat.