“Unless farming becomes both intellectually stimulating and economically rewarding, it will be difficult
to attract or retain rural youth in farming”- Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.
- India is young country: Global population is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050, with youth
(aged 15-24) accounting for about 14% of this total. Rural population in India, accounts to 68% (90.22
Crores), total youth population is 28% (35.6 Crores) ranging between the ages of 10-24 years. India is
emerging as future young nation in the globe. Besides, the country is adding 2 million young people to
the ranks of unemployed every year. This is likely to entail tremendous cost, including social unrest
and dislocation.
- New generation is going to take up Agriculture: Agriculture is contributing to 15.35% of national
GDP and covers 68% of total population. Increasing literacy rate in rural areas (71%) is ray of hope for
bringing changes in all the areas around villages including Agriculture. The mantle of Agriculture rest
in the hand of educated rural youth in the country.
- Realities on ground: Education and Mass Media exposure is inducing high aspirations among rural
youth resulting in migration of youth from rural to urban areas, Agriculture to non-agriculture sectors.
Education system does not involve Agriculture in initial years due to which interest is not created in the
young minds. Urban attraction leads rural youth to opt non-agriculture education so that they get jobs
in urban areas. Even the majority of the farmers are not in favour of their children taking up
Agriculture and settling in villages. Agriculture is ridden with uncertainties in monsoon and markets
making it one of the risky professions. Hence, for Agriculture, there are few takers among rural youth
by choice.
- Challenges: Rural youth experience following challenges while opting Agriculture as profession.
- Opportunities: In spite of challenges, Agriculture emerge as promising sector.
- Workshop approach: Consultative Workshop is broadly divided in to three phases. Phase-I focus on
learning from experiences of experts in Agriculture and Allied sectors regarding youth involvement.
Phase-II focus on pooling the opinions of Workshop participants and Phase-III work on formulation of
recommendations based on outcomes of Phase-I & II.
- Workshop aims at: Identification of innovations, successful good practices, programs, policies,
financial services and entrepreneurial opportunities for strengthening involvement of youth in
Agricultural development.
https://www.manage.gov.in/publications/youth.pdf
