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During the last visit of Barak Obama in the year 2011, he pointed out that India is fortunate to have a youth population with a half of the total population being under the age of 30-35 years. Out of 600 million young people, over 60% live in villages and majority of them are educated. Mahatma Gandhi considered that migration of rural youth from villages to town and cities as the most serious form of brain drain affecting adversely rural India’s development. The National Commission on Farmers stressed the need for attracting and retaining rural youth in farming. Recently, National Sample Survey has indicated that over 45% people want to quit farming under these condition there is need to persuade educated youth including farm graduates to stay in villages and take up agriculture as a profession. There are various economic opportunities for farm graduates which are discussed below:

INTRODUCTION

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005(NREGA) was brought into force by the Union Government in February 2006 which was renamed on 2^nd October 2009 as MGNREGA i.e. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. It is the first nation-wide employment scheme that guarantees employment legally to India’s rural population. According to the Union Rural Development Ministry’s figures, more than 1.36 crore people of the country’s total population have been given jobs under the Act. It guarantees 100 days of unskilled jobs per rural household. This is meant to regenerate the rural natural resource base, which in turn, will result in sustainable livelihoods for residents. It is with this background the present article has been planned with the specific objectives to explore the extent of awareness about NREGA among the target group of the Act. Ray (2008) told that, director, Development, Allahabad University included NREGA in the curriculum of rural sociology and has suggested that seminar; workshops and university publications can be used for awareness generation. UNIFEM Workshop (2009) concluded that, in case of Kerala, Kudumbashree and Panchayat have been very vigilant in spreading awareness about NREGA through radio, poster, television, notice board on gram Sabhas, etc.

ABSTRACT

Assessment of technical and financial feasibility of two resource conservation technologies suitable for rice establishment1. Zero Tillage Machine (ZTM) for direct seeded rice (DSR) and; 2. Paddy transplanter machine (PTM) for mechanical transplanted rice(MTR) in Rohtas district was carried out at the demonstration farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Rohtas during Kharif-2012 and 2013 in a view to reduce the drudgery and cost of cultivation. An eight row self-propelled PTM (Model 2ZT-238-8) and 9 tined National Make ZTM were used for the purpose. Technical performance of these resource conservation technologies was found satisfactory. The field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption and cost of establishment of rice by these technologies were evaluated for the purpose. For the assessment of financial feasibility; benefit-cost ratio, internal rate of return, pay-back period and net present worth of these technologies were evaluated and demonstrated to rural youths for their quick adoption and get rid of labour-shortage and delayed transplanting of rice crop and hence saving of significant loss of Rabi crops that happens due to delayed harvesting of rice crop.

It is agony of the situation that even after attaining food security after a wonderful revolution, we are at a verge of complex combination of several crisis. This notably includes lack of nutritional security, deteriorating genetic base, loss of biological-diversity etc. Therefore at the 66^th session of general assembly of the United Nation 2014 was formally declared to be the “International Year of Family Farming” to reposition family farming at the centre of discussion to address multiple problems existing in agriculture (www.fao.org/family-farming-214/home/what-is-famly-farming/en/).

Family is the basic unit of the society. A self reliant and prosperous society needs self sustaining families which in turn require equitable and creative participation by all members of the family. Family farming is the backbone of agriculture where a rural youth effuse and rejuvenate this backbone through effective participation and obeisance of the tradition through which indigenous technical knowledge is transferred.

ABSTRACT

Agriculture and allied sectors is the largest livelihood providers in rural India, still Indian farmers are among the poorest in the World. Agriculture sector is potentially largest employment providing sectors in the country. Despite this, unemployment is high among educated rural youth, and they prefer to migrate to urban areas to take up low paying jobs. The present study was carried out mainly to find out the challenges faced by rural youth in choice of agriculture as a means of livelihood. The study was conducted in four villages in Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand. Data was collected from 115 youth using pre-tested interview schedule. It was found that maximum number of respondents had education up to higher secondary level, majority were students and had medium level of mass media exposure and change proneness. The study indicates that limited access to new agricultural technologies, limited access to farm machinery, perception regarding suitability to agriculture, damage of crops from pests and insects, and lack of information on agricultural inputs and government policies were the main challenges faced by rural youth in choosing agriculture as a means of livelihood. The study indicates that government has developed policy framework for involving youth in agriculture. This study can be carried on training needs of youth in agriculture and allied sectors.

ABSTRACT

The United Nations has declared 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming. The central role of increased participation by youth in agriculture is necessary and vital to facilitate food and nutrition security. Rural Family farming generates food and income for hundreds of millions of rural people, including the poor and marginalized fostering jobs for men, women and young people, both within their family farms and in related enterprises along food and agricultural value chains. It provides models of adaptability and resilience for more sustainable food production and is socially and culturally part of communities and territories constituting regions and as such underpins national food security in most countries safeguarding and protecting the environmental assets and natural resources, biodiversity and cultural heritage. Under the right conditions and with supportive policies, family farmers particularly the youth and women have proven to be innovative, productive and resilient, especially if they are supported to use agroecological practices that are based on their own resources and priorities. This makes youth in family farming key players in tackling the pressing issues of our time, such as hunger, climate change and biodiversity loss. Family farming includes all family-based agricultural activities, and it is linked to several areas of rural development. Family farming is a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture production which is managed and operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family labour, including both men and women. Rural youth, smallholder and family farmers face numerous challenges in the prevailing times such as climate change and climate variability; lack of tenure security in a context of increasing competition for land and water (population growth, urbanization) and inadequate governance of land tenure; limited access to financial resources, inputs, technology, training, research and advisory services, and education, price volatility and limited access to markets among a few. As an opportunity the availability of real income generating options in agriculture can offer rehabilitating young persons whose alternative options are neither socially acceptable nor responsible. Simultaneously, the vibrant and expanding market for primary and secondary agricultural commodities offers tremendous opportunities for young people to earn good income from agricultural activities.

ABSTRACT

Youth denotes-”Young, Original, Unique, Talented, and Hopeful”. Youths represent the most active segment of the population and the engine that do most productive work of the society (Adesope, 1996). Youths are a formidable force in the agricultural production, process, constituting a sizeable proportion of future progressive farmers and better citizens, especially in the rural areas. Fifty percent of Indian population has average age group 25 and more than 65 percent below the age of 35 years therefore United Nations (2005) defines youth as ‘all individuals aged between 15 and 24 year’ and declared 2014 as the “International Year of Family Farming”. Family farming is a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture production which is managed and operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family labour, including both of women and men.

ABSTRACT

India is a developing country and agriculture is at the core of this development. Youth participation in agriculture for its sustained contribution to a nation’s development is crucial but this is not ascertained. FAO has declared year 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF). Today’s youth are tomorrow’s family farmers, and maintaining interest in farming as a profession is vital to future food security. The number of young people of working age is increasing while the same group is typically rejecting careers in agriculture and food system. This scenario can be changed by cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders—not just as farmers but as food entrepreneurs, scientists, agronomists, extension agents, union and government leaders etc. Governments, particularly in developing countries, need to invest in policies and practices that provide access to land, credit and banking services, education and knowledge, and technical skills for young farmers. And these governments need to ensure that young people have access to markets, goods and service, employment opportunities, and leisure so that they prefer to stay on the farm.

INTRODUCTION

It is becoming obvious that the interest of youth in agriculture is declining and this trend is likely to continue if we do not look into this seriously. A large number of young people are migrating to urban centers in the hope of getting employment and for a better life. This is due to lack of jobs and opportunities in rural areas, and a view that working in farming is low status and does not offer good future prospects. Young people play an important role and are required in the agriculture sector. But education or training programs are not always readily available, technologies are not accessible, inputs may be scarce, and other vital services are not accessible. Young people now-a-days are becoming less connected with their food, often making little or no association between the food they eat, who is behind it and it is produced. They may not see beyond the store or market, nor make the connection between the food they are eating and the efforts made by farmers to grow it. This growing disconnection with agriculture implies an uncertain future for sustainable food production to feed the growing population. It is important to make the link between food and agriculture visible. The important role young people play in farming needs to be understood as agriculture is sustainable if it can attract future generation farmers. In fact the young people are the future farmers. Efforts are required to discourage the overwhelming tendency of young people to move out of farming in search of a more comfortable life and better income. It is true that there are major challenges, farming is not an easy or a more glamorous option, but we should be exploring ways of doing agriculture in a sustainable and rewarding manner.

ABSTRACT

Family farming is the blending of experience, skill, managerial qualities, business strategies and finally economic independence because this type of farming involves the blending of different minds of the family members. There is not any doubt in saying that youth are the of future. This is the time between childhood and adulthood. It is the time when a young individual get out of their dreamy world of childhood and face some of the most complicated realities of the world. Family farming is still facing the problem of urbanization and unemployment. But youth of present scenario are the solution of every problem because skilled youth of rural background can drive future economic growth as they are innovative in bringing and applying new ideas on a large scale. Rural youth are enthusiastic and they can act as good leaders as their orientation is scientific. Youth support family farming as well as perform gender specific activities. They are said to be the key to sustainable and innovative development. Investment in rural youth is the key to country‘s progress and boost economic opportunities. Rural youth of today want that their capabilities should be utilized for producing food and for conserving productive resources in rural environment. Their mental skills make them different from others so Govt. should adopt such policies that mark the correct value of their skill. This research paper emphasizes the role of rural youth in agriculture and family farming and what are their aspirations from this sector.

ABSTRACT

Agriculture is an important sector of Indian economy that contributes about 17% to the total GDP and provides employment to over 60% of the population. But, the villages are becoming poorer and poorer and only older generations are left there to do the agricultural operations. During the past two years, cost of food items like grains, pulses, oil and vegetables are increasing, month after month. Family farming is the best approach to produce agricultural products economically, utilizing locally available resources and crop residues and manpower very efficiently and sustainably. Family farming is a way of life” - there are unique advantages - the security of access and control over resources, meeting multiple needs of the family – food and income, the relationships with nature, the bonding with the past, present and future; ensuring freedom from external exploitation as well as freedom to do your own way. Family farms as multipurpose enterprises have been serving as buffers in times of disasters, as glue of social bonding, often functioning as a ’value web’ between farming families and communities. The United Nations defines youth as young men and women from age 15 to 24. The present situation of rural youth in developing countries can generally be characterized by illiteracy, lack of educational and training opportunities, unemployment, under-employment and the flight of large numbers of rural youth to the cities. There are serious challenges too – stifling and non supportive policy environment, lack of extension system to handle the farmer’s distinct needs and capacities, and lastly ‘converting’ family farms to be ‘business like’ models. However, successful pilots can become big impact programmes, for instance, as in Andhra Pradesh, through NGO-GO collaboration. Hence, rural youth need to be prepared in: (a) improving their capabilities to produce food and to conserve productive resources in the rural environment, (b) improving skills and abilities in undertaking income-generating activities in rural areas, (c) relieving population pressure and improving nutrition and the well-being of farming families and (d) developing leadership and the ability to work well with others in group and community situations.

ABSTRACT

The family farm exists as one of the most important factors in food production in India. Rural areas in the country are home to 73 per cent of India’s population, most of whom rely upon agriculture for their livelihood. Whole families run the farms and, because of the rural location, are less educated than their urban countrymen. Youth are increasingly losing interest in agriculture and migrate to urban areas in search for job opportunities in other sectors, yet in some countries opposite trends were observed recently. Access to adequate productive resources, goods and services, and job opportunities would convince youth to stay closer to the family farm. Access to education would be essential for youth to be able and willing to stay in rural areas and engage in agriculture. Young Farmers’ Organizations can effectively represent the needs and interest of rural/agricultural youth in policy making processes. Women are the backbone of family farming. They play multiple roles, undertaking both productive and reproductive activities in agricultural/rural households. Women’s large contribution of work in family farms is not recognized, in terms of income earned and access to productive resources and assets. Families in agriculture have multiple vulnerabilities. Both women and men need adequate access to productive resources to make rural societies more resilient. If women get equal access to resources, they could improve their yields which would reduce food insecurity of agricultural/rural households. Government should develop policies, programs and projects that target specifically young farmers and provide them with privileged access to land, credit and technical knowledge. Improve educational instruments and support alternative models for knowledge transfer in rural areas, e.g: agroecological education in local schools. Youth should actively participate in farmers’ organizations in order to let their voice heard and better access agricultural resources - including credit and finance. Young farmers should pay special attention to the conservation of natural resources. Governments should invest in young farmers for tomorrow’s food security.

ABSTRACT

Rural youths represent both a challenge to and an opportunity for reducing rural poverty. To overcome this challenge and seize the opportunity concerted efforts are needed to generate decent employment opportunities. A complementary set of awareness generation, entrepreneurship development, enabling policy, capacity building and technical support activities need to be designed for creating an enabling environment that meets the multi-dimensional needs of rural youths. Sustainable poverty reduction and rural economic development can only be achieved when national enabling environments facilitates and empower young people to achieve their full potential. Agriculture being the core of rural activity, potentiality of farming sector to create employment opportunity both in primary as well as in secondary agriculture needs to be highlighted with proven success before the rural youths. Enabling environment in all aspect needs to be created to motivate the educated youths to live in villages and launch a new agricultural movement based on integrated application of science and social wisdom. The untapped demographic dividend will become our greatest strength when the aspiration turns into reality.

Introduction

Castor (Ricinnus communis L.) is an important non-edible oilseed crop and occupies an important place in the country’s vegetable oil economy. The crop is mostly confined to Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Although other states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa, Maharashtra, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh cultivate castor, their contribution to either area or production is limited. Presently, castor is grown over an area of 8.7 lakh hectares with a production of 11.7 lakh tonnes and productivity of 1352 kg/ha in the country (2008-09). Castor oil finds application in manufacture of a wide range of ever expanding industrial products such as nylon fibres, jet-engine lubricants, hydraulic fluids, soaps, varnishes, paints, medicines and a host of similar other products. Castor cake is used as manure and also as nematicide. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh put together contribute to 68.5% of the total castor area and 80% of the total castor production in the country. The crop has been cultivated under resource-rich irrigated conditions in Gujarat with very high productivity (1963 kg/ha), while in Andhra Pradesh, the crop has been cultivated under rainfed and poor resource management conditions, with very low productivity (509kg/ha).

Introduction

For uplifting the socio economic conditions of the poor mass, government enacted many programmes to make available of institutional credit flow to the farmers almost at their doorstep at a reasonable rate of interest. Hence, the mind set of borrowers has changed. credit is no more regarded as “hangman’s rope” but are considered as an economic “ladder or elevator”

However, Credit can serve useful purpose only when it is used for productive purpose to generate additional income. Otherwise, its deviation for non productive purposes would affect the repaying capacity of borrowers and create over due and defaulters. The increasing rate of non repayment has been one of the major problems for all the financial institutions. Increasing default in the repayment of loan led to very serious implication, for instances, it discourages the financial institutions to refinancing to the defaulting members.

Introduction

Agriculture is the base of Indian economy on which the fortunes of over 70 million families directly or indirectly rest. The women in these families are also partners in crop and food production as managers, decision makers and skilled farm workers. The socio economic advancement of a country can be best judged by the status and position, which is bestowed on its women. Women as a class, play a vital role in the process of economic development. According to census 2001, women constitute 48.26 per cent of the total population of India and 25.67 per cent of the female population are designated. Amongst the female workers, 32.50 per cent are identified as cultivators and 39.43 per cent as agricultural labourers.

Introduction

Women constitute half of the Indian population. Around 80 % of the total female population lives in rural and out of 31 million women work force of the country, 20 million are living in rural areas. The role played by women in agriculture is more enormous and fully recognized. Women accounted for more than 76 per cent of the marginal workers and about 16 per cent of them are main workers. Among main workers as well as marginal workers more women belong to the category of agricultural labourers. The role of women and their involvement is more in production, processing and storage of grains. In general, 60-70 per cent of labour input is provided by womenfolk which increases upto 80 per cent in rice. Women formed part of a highly valuable human resources which with appropriate training and education, can bring about phenomenal changes in the desirable direction. By keeping this view, the main focus of this paper was, to find out the role played by the farm women in farming, allied and off-farm activities.

Introduction

Women in India had a high and glorious tradition. All nations have attained their pinnacle of glory only when women have been free, cultured and pure. Women have been the transmitter of culture in all societies. Modern living has brought with it not only innumerable means of comfort but also a plethora of demands that tax human body and mind. Stress is an inescapable part of human life is manageable to a large extent. With proper understanding of the processes that cause stress, the situation can be well managed. The stress management is very easy if we sincerely analyze the reasons of stress. Physical stress management techniques have been used since a long time.

The investigator had undertaken the study entitled “Positive Therapy for enhancement of Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy and Management of Stress among Women in Local Governance in Coimbatore District”.

Introduction

In the existing socio-economic scenario, economic independence is considered as one of the main status indicator in the society. Women especially in rural areas are the deprived section of the society on account of their dependence on others for economic reasons. This necessitates generation opportunities so as to make them economically independent. Moreover, women’s contribution to national development is crucial. The process of development would be incomplete and lopsided, unless women are fully involved in it. Many innovations have failed due to non-satisfaction of women on the perceived attributes of innovations. So, it is necessary that they should be informed, trained, convinced of a technology primarily.

Farm women can’t emerge as a good entrepreneur, if they are not equipped with any skill, knowledge, education and information. So, research studies are essential to assess the training needs of them to become a successful entrepreneur. In order to know the training needs of farm women for entrepreneurial development, and the constraints faced by them to become a good entrepreneur.

Introduction

Women are vital part of the Indian economy, constituting one-third of the national labour force and are considered to be the major contributor to the survival of the family. Despite progress in several indicators, gender analysis of most social and economic data demonstrate that women in India continue to be relatively disadvantaged in matters of survival, health, nutrition, literacy and social status. More than 90 percent of rural women in India are unskilled thus restricting them to low-paid occupations. Women generally have no control over land and other productive assets, which largely excludes them from access to institutional credit and renders them dependent on high-cost informal sources of credit to secure capital for consumption and for productive purpose.

Among 621.1 lakh population in Tamilnadu (according to 2001 census) 308.4 lakh are females. The people below poverty line in Tamilnadu are about 21.12 percent, out of this, women share equal percentage of poverty. In a patriarchal society, women have inadequate knowledge on various aspects and depend largely on the male siblings or husbands. They also do not have much access to credit or income as most of the expenditure is controlled by men. Even where they have some measure of control they spend most of their earnings on family needs. Estimates shows that more women and girls experience the vigour of poverty than men in poor holds because of inequalities in access to food, healthcare and education. (www.undp.org.in).