The document discusses the role of rural youth in agriculture. It defines rural youth as those aged 18-25 from farming families. Their active involvement is important for replacing aging farmers and increasing productivity. However, agriculture is currently unattractive to youth due to low incomes, risk, and physical labor. To attract more youth, the document recommends making agriculture more remunerative through innovations, training programs, easy access to resources, and better market opportunities. Government and non-profits should implement programs to stimulate youth interest and participation in agriculture.

1. Presented by:
SAKTHIVEL.R
2014010016
ROLE OF RURAL YOUTH IN
AGRICULTURE

2. Who is Rural youth ?
 Are those who are in the age group of
18-25 years , who come from farming
family , doing farming activities either
with their parents or brothers , who
may or may not take major decisions
on the farm , but actively associated
with the farm management and would
perhaps wish to stay on the farm for
their future.

3. Why youth in Agriculture ?
Active Involvement of youth in agriculture is very necessary for the
following reasons :
1. Aged farmers are in farming. Their efficiency is reducing. There is
need to replace them by young farmers.
2. To increase the number of producers and level of productivity.
3. Increased participation of youth in agriculture is necessary and
important to facilitate food and nutritional security.
4. Youth are capable of adopting new concepts, ideas, technology
which are vital for increasing production.
5. Active participation of youth will reduce their unemployment in
rural areas.
6. Youth, who are in sizeable number in rural areas posses the
required energy to increase farm production.

4. Is agriculture attractive to the youth ?
A) yes B) No

5. Is agriculture attractive to the youth ?
A) yes B) No

6. Why is agriculture unattractive to the
youth ?
 Agriculture does not attract the youth
anymore . The youth in the villages do not
want to take up agriculture as they see their
fathers and forefathers struggle to make
both ends meet. Low productivity and
resulting poverty is pushing them away
from this sector.
 Even their parents and family members do
not want them to take up their traditional
occupation.

7. Why is agriculture unattractive to the
youth ?
 Moreover , it is never an easy choice of
career. With lots of risk and physical labour
involved , no wonder the youth mostly divert
to other job opportunities in the cities
increasing the number of migration and
unemployed each year.
 The major challenges that are holding back
the youth from joining agriculture are access
to land, financing, climate change, interest
,market, sustainability , education and
training , facility, policy and programmes,
top-down approach and low service quality.

8. Making agriculture attractive :
 But then again , there had been many examples
of youth doing fair in agriculture just by being
innovative and making informed decisions.
They have shown that agriculture is no more the
last choice for a career. But to increase the
number of these young people, some steps have
to be taken to make agriculture remunerative
and attractive at the same time.
 Mobile phones are doing wonders in every
sphere and with the innovative ideas-turned-
into-reality by youths, agriculture is also
benefited.
 Nano Ganesh technology is one such
innovation. Nano ganesh is a remote control
system for controlling water bumps by mobile
phone.

9. SWOT Analysis of Rural Youth
Strengths of youth
 They posses good energy.
 They have capacity and ability to
produce more.
 Due to their exposure to media, they
are capable of accepting new ideas in
farming
Weakness of youth
 Elderly farmers in the family takes
the decisions in farming. Hence ,
youth’s role in decision making is
limited.
 They lack training in improved
methods and skills.
 Non-remunerative prices to
agricultural produce.
 Agriculture is not perceived as
lucrative vocation.

10. Opportunities for youth
 Increased market for agricultural produce
and secondary agricultural commodities,
which ensures good income to young
farmers.
 Farmers friendly policies , incentives and
schemes of the government in the field of
agriculture.
 Training opportunities through KVK’s and
other training institutions.
 Continuous hike in food prices so that farm
produce attracts highest prices.
Threats to youth
 Better opportunities for youth outside
agriculture.
 Increased migration to urban areas.
 Less respect for agriculture profession.
 Poverty and unemployment in rural areas.
 Lack of education

11. Strategies for increased participation of youth in
agriculture
 Training and capacity building of
youth.
 Inclusion of lessons in agriculture in
the curriculum of secondary schools to
infuse interest in agriculture at the
young age.
 Training in entrepreneurship
development programme.
 Training in food processing and
packing.

12. Strategies for increased participation of youth in
agriculture
 Easy access to land and capital , technology and
information.
 Better market opportunities for the farm produce.
 Motivation-Improving the image of agriculture
profession.
 Starting rural youth associations and self-help groups.
 Rewarding young achievers in farming.
The Government organizations (GOs) and Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should plan and
execute such programmes which would stimulate interest
and encourage participation of youth in agriculture which
is necessary to ensure the sustainability of agricultural
production.