Empowering young farmers for sustainable agriculture

Full text

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; 7(3): 3291-3300
E-ISSN: 2278-4136
P-ISSN: 2349-8234
JPP 2018; 7(3): 3291-3300
Received: 08-03-2018
Accepted: 12-04-2018
Dr. Nasreen Banu
Principal Scientist, AICRP-CD
(All India Coordinated Research
Project-Human Development),
PGRC, PJTSAU (Professor
Jayashankar Telangana State
Agricultural University),
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad,
Telangana, India
Dr. K Yashoda
SRF, AICRP-CD, PGRC,
PJTSAU, Rajendranagar,
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Correspondence
Dr. Nasreen Banu
Principal Scientist, AICRP-CD
(All India Coordinated Research
Project-Human Development),
PGRC, PJTSAU (Professor
Jayashankar Telangana State
Agricultural University),
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad,
Telangana, India
Empowering young farmers for sustainable
agriculture
Dr. Nasreen Banu and Dr. K Yashoda
Abstract
Present study was taken up to address the Farmer problems in the adopted villages of Moinabad mandal,
RR district, Hyderabad. 70 young Farmers formed the sample for the present study. Checklists developed
by the unit (AICRP-Child Development) were used to find out the problems & training needs of the
Farmers. Based on the training needs, on campus & off campus training programmes were organized
involving experts. Besides this Life skill index was also developed to trace the life skills for Sustainable
Agricultural practices. Success stories were documented and based on the field experience a Conceptual
model was developed for Retaining youth in Agriculture.
Keywords: sustainable agriculture; retaining youth in agriculture
Introduction
Research facts
 India is losing more than 2,000 farmers every single day and since 1991, the overall
number of farmers has dropped by 15 million (Sainath, 2013) [6]. This has several
implications for the future of Indian agriculture and India’s food security.
 Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) is critical for Indian Agriculture
as most of the new innovations require a skilled Agricultural work force. For instance,
promotion of high value agriculture, precision farming, organic cultivation, Hi-Tech
horticulture, micro-propagation, Integrated Pest Disease & Nutrients Management, Post-
Harvest Management, development of backward and forward linkages etc. require well
trained young farmers with enthusiasm and passion for farming and ability to take risks.
 The rural youth could be the ideal target for skill training in these new areas of
agricultural growth and to do this effectively there is a need to mobilize young farmers.
Hence the project has been taken up, because a well-trained, well informed & educated Youth
will be in a better position to assess the changing conditions, can also be change agents for
Sustainable Agricultural practices and models for other farmers to follow.
Note: The present study was supported by ICAR under XII plan period
Introduction & Background
 Nearly three-quarters of India’s families depend on rural income.
 Majority of India’s poor (some 770 million people or about 70 percent) are found in rural
areas. India’s food security depends on producing cereal crops, as well as increasing its
production of fruits, vegetables and milk to meet the demands of a growing population
with rising incomes.
 To do so, a productive, competitive, diversified and sustainable agricultural sector will
need to emerge at an accelerated pace.
Operational definition
Youth: The current generation of youth, defined by the United Nations as those aged between
15 to 24 years, is the largest in history. As of 2012, the youth make up for 1.8 billion or 18%
of total world population. Ninety percent (90%) of these young people live in developing
countries, comprising as much as 20% of their countries’ total population.
Life skills have been defined by WHO (1993) as “the abilities for adaptive and positive
behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of
everyday life”. ‘Adaptive’ means that a person is flexible in approach and is able to adjust in
different circumstances. ‘Positive behaviour’ implies that a person is forward looking even in
difficult situations.

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Life skillsIndex: It is the basic skills required for sustainable
agricultural practices as ranked by the experts (from
Agriculture, Horticulture, extension, govt dept & NGOs
working for farming community). It includes3 major skills:
Cognitive skills, Management skills and Interpersonal skills.
Cognitive skill were given rank I, followed by Management
skills (Rank II) and Interpersonal skills (III), by the experts
(36).
Cognitive skills include: Critical thinking, Creative thinking,
Decision making and Problem solving
Inter personal relationship skills include: Communication
skills, Empathy Coping & Management skills refers to the
ability to recognize, understand and manage one’s own
emotions as well as others; ability recognize the source of
stress and manage it in a constructive way and aability to
manage resources and cope with difficult situations.
Research methodology
Sample was identified from the adopted villages (5) of
Moinabad mandal, RR District, Hyderabad (AP), through
field survey and focused group interviews with the Youth
leaders, Adarsharytu, Book keeper, Ration card dealer,
karobar, Village Sarpanch & other active farmers in the
village. There were 1255 youth in the age group of 16-25yrs
in the selected villages (5) of Moinabad mandal, RR District.
General objective: Empowering Young Farmers for
Sustainable agriculture
Specific objectives
 To find out the attitude of youth towards Agriculture
 To find out the reasons/problems faced by the farmers
 To find out their training needs with regard to sustainable
agriculture
 To conduct on campus and off campus capacity building
programmes
 To generate success stories to be a model for other young
farmers to follow
 To develop life skills Index for Sustainable agricultural
practices
 To develop a Conceptual model for retaining youth in
Agriculture
 To develop & disseminate IEC material to empower
young farmers towards sustainable agricultural practices
Research strategy adopted: In order to achieve the above
objectives Capacity building programmes were organized for
the farmers involving stakeholders; experts; successful
agriculturists; entrepreneurs & NGOs. Besides this the project
also focused on developing Life skills Index required for
sustainable agricultural practices.
Research tool details
1. SES scale developed by Aggrawal, et al (2005) was used
to find out the SES of the rural families. Scoring was
given as per the norms provided in the manual.
2. Life Skill Index developed by AICRP-CD unit,
Hyderabad, was used to find out the Life skills levels of
the selected sample.
3. Open ended checklist developed by AICRP-CD, Hyd
unit, to find out the Perceptions of young farmers towards
Agriculture
4. Open ended checklist developed by AICRP-CD, Hyd
unit, was to find out the Training needs of the youth in
Agriculture
Characterization of youth involved in Agriculture
Out of 1255 sample, 1012 (81%) were engaged in
Agriculture. Out of 1012, 739 (59%) were fully engaged in
Agriculture work and 273 (22%) were partially engaged in
Agriculture work. Out of 1255 sample, 70 were selected for
research purpose. Youth who were willing to be a part of the
project formed the sample.
Out of 1255 sample
 728 (58%) were boys & 527 (42%) were girls.
 467 (37%) were in the age group of 16-19 yrs; 400 (32%)
were in the age group of 19-22 yrs; and 388 (31%) were
in the age group of 22-25 yrs;
 462 (37%) completed SSC; and 208 (16%) discontinued
studies after 10th class
 264 (21%) passed Inter and 200 (16%) failed
Inter/discontinued
 121 (10%) studying degree college
 1012 (81%) were engaged in Agriculture
 28 (2%) were engaged in Sheep rearing
 93 (7%) were involved in non-farm activities
 122 (10%) were engaged in domestic work.

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
The Socio-Economic Statuswas found based on the method
prescribed by Aggrawal, et al. (2005). Out of 70 rural
families, 43% (30) belonged to lower middle class families,
26% (18) were poor, 17% (12) belonged to upper middle class
and14% (10) were very poor.
Income particulars of the youth: Out of 70 families selected
for the study, 46% (32) of the youth had income of Rs.3403/-
per month; 24% (17) of the youth had income of Rs.1597/-
per month; 19% (13) of the youth had income of Rs.645/- per
month; and 11% (8) of the youth had average of Rs.6772/- per
month.
Perceptions of young farmers (N=70) towards
Agriculture: Youth in rural areas do not find Agriculture
beneficial. Some of the reasons attributed were: Poor returns
to investment (55%); Not perceived as a viable business
(58%) &Not an attractive career path (50%); No ready market
(55%) &It is energy-sapping (55%); Farmers are not
respected (50%); Inadequate credit facility (43%) and
Insufficient land: (38%).
Training needs of farmers
Training plays an important role in the advancement of
human performance in a given situation. Training provides a
systematic improvement of knowledge and skills which in
turn helps the trainees to function effectively and efficiently
in their given task on completion of the training. Training is a
process of acquisition of new skills, attitude and knowledge in
the context of preparing for entry into a vocation or improving
ones productivity in an organization or enterprise.
Effective training requires a clear picture of how the trainees
will need to use information after training in place of local
practices what they have adopted before in their situation.
Lynton and Pareek (1990) [5] stated that training consists
largely of well-organized opportunities for participants to
acquire necessary understanding and skill. Farmer training is
directed towards improving their job efficiency in farming.
Table 1: Training needs of the farmers (youth) (N=70)
S. No
Training area
Specific area
%
Ranking
1
Crop Production & Plant Protection
1. Weed management
55%
2
2. Cropping systems
53%
3
3. Crop diversification
41%
5
4. Integrated farming
49%
4
5. Integrated pests and disease management
60%
1
2
Soil Health & Fertility Management
1. Soil fertility management
60%
2
2. Soil and water conservation
62%
1
3. Management of problematic soils
47%
3
3
Vegetable Crops
1. Production of low volume and high value crops
50%
3
2. Off-season vegetables
56%
1
3. Protective cultivation
47%
4
4. Post-harvest technology
54%
2
4
Fruits
1. Cultivation of Export potential fruits
40%
2
2. Commercial fruit production
47%
1
5
Farm based vocations
1. Seed production
40%
3
2. Bio-fertilizer &Bio-pesticides
26%
4
3.Vermi-compost production
47%
2
4. Organic manures production
50%
1
The above table presents the Training needs of the farmers
(youth) from the adopted village of Moinabad mandal. The
list includes different areas: Crop Production & Plant
Protection; Soil Health & Fertility Management; Vegetable
Crops; Fruits; Farm based vocations and Non-Farm based
vocations
Crop Production & Plant Protection: In this area, in the
order of ranking, youth (who were involved in Agriculture)
showed first preference for integrated pests and disease
management. Training on integrated pest and disease
management of the crops was the most important (60%) need
in plant protection followed by control of pest and disease by
use of biological agents. This could be attributed to the fact
that farmers may be over using fertilizers and
pesticides/fungicides.
The 2nd preference (55%) was given for Weed management.
Weeds are often recognized as the principal biotic constraint
to organic crop production. Development of suitable weed
control measures through integrated weed management
practices is, therefore, a prerequisite for profitable
farming.The3rd preference (53%) was given for cropping
systems; 4th preference (49%) was given for integrated
farming and 5th preference (41%) was given for Crop
diversification.
Soil Health & Fertility Management: In this area, in the
order of ranking, youth (who were involved in Agriculture)
showed first preference (62%) for Soil and water
conservation; 2nd preference (60%) for Soil fertility
management and 3rd preference (47%) for Management of
problematic soils.
Vegetable Crops: In this area, in the order of ranking, youth
(who were involved in Agriculture) showed first preference
(56%) for Off-season vegetables; 2nd preference (54%) for
Post-harvest technology; 3rd preference (54%) for Production
of low volume and high value crops and 4th preference (47%)
for Protective cultivation (green houses, shade net).
Fruits: In this area, in the order of ranking, youth (who were
involved in Agriculture) showed first preference (47%) for
Commercial fruit production and 2nd preference (40%) for
Cultivation of Export potential fruits.
Farm based vocations: In this area, in the order of ranking,
youth (who were involved in Agriculture) showed first
preference (50%) for Organic manures production; 2nd
preference (47%) for Vermi-compost production; 3rd
preference (40%) for Seed production and 4th preference
(26%) for Bio-fertilizer &Bio-pesticides.

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Based on the awareness levels & Training needs of the youth,
capacity building programmes (17) were organized for youth
for Sustainable livelihoods in Agriculture using Networking
approach.
Capacity building programmes
Effective cultivation of Vegetable crops for Sustainability was conducted for the
youth (Nagireddyguda village) involved in Agriculture, involving expert from the
Dept of Entomology, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Hyd on 28th July 2015.
Crop production
Technologies
Integrated Pests and
Disease Management
Integrated farming
Soil Health & Fertility
Management
Off Season Vegetables
Plant Protection Measures
Protective Cultivation
Weed management
Bio –fertilizer & Bio –
pesticides
Vermi Compost Production
Management of Animal
husbandry
Capacity building programmes for Youth for Sustainable
Livelihoods in Agriculture & Allied Sectors

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Networking approach for retaining youth in Agriculture:
Networking approach is about
 Gaining information about Agriculture
 Narrowing down our choices for creating sustainable
livelihoods for Farmers
 Connecting with stakeholders who can assist and support
the Farmers
 Building interface between the Farmers & the
Stakeholders

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
 Building required knowledge & skill among Farmers
through supportive programmes
Methodology followed for Net-working approach
 First found the specific training needs of the Farmers
 Traced and short listed Stakeholders who were willing to
assist & support in creating sustainable livelihoods for
farmers
 Conducted awareness programmes to appraise the rural
youth about the kind of services being offered by the
Stakeholders for Sustainable Livelihoods
 Created common plate form (through stakeholder meet)
for the farmers to discuss issues with the Stakeholders
regarding sustainable agriculture practices
 Conducted village level meetings with village officials &
famers for generating action plans
Strategies adopted for achieving the above set procedure:
 Awareness programmes on Govt subsidies, Farm
implements & 14 TV channels relating to Agriculture;
 Problem specific Field level & on campus Training
programmes; Frontline demonstrations; Exposure visits;
Interaction with successful farmers;
 Consultations/Interactive sessions with the Stakeholders;
 Video clipping on successful case studies on sustainable
Agricultural practices
Networking with the stakeholders for sustainable
livelihoods in agriculture

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Based on the pretest scores, on campus and off campus
(knowledge & skill based) training progrmames (17) were
organized for the youth. Significant improvement was
observed in the post test scores.
Based on the results following Conceptual model was
developed on networking approach for retaining youth in
Agriculture
Perception / attitude
towards Agriculture
Lack of other job
availability
Limited awareness &
access to Technology
Climate vulnerability
Low risk management
Lack of integrated
practices
Lack of market linkages
Poor access to quality
inputs
Dependence on external
inputs
Long term impact:
Increased crop production &
profits over long-term
Control over crops and prices
Better standard of living that
includes health care and
education
Minimized reliance on
government subsidies
Improved Agricultural practices
Improved Agricultural
productivity
Improved resource mobilization
Professional networking
Accessing resources
Sharing the knowledge & skills
with others
Exiting Situation of
Farmers (Youth)
Awareness programmes
Filed level training
Focus group discussions with the
experts
Interactive sessions with the
Stakeholders
Interactive discussions with the
Successful Agriculturists
Slide shows on different crop
production system
Video clippings on Sustainable
Agricultural practices
Information material
Video clippings of Bhumiputra
Agriculture magazines
Farmer portal Web links
Sharing & presenting Success stories
by the Experts
Information on Farmers call centers
TV Channels for Farmers
Updating on Govt subsidies
Age
Gender
Education
Family size
Family income
Land holding
Personal variables
Networking Conceptual Model Expected Outcome / Impact
Inputs
Awareness level
Competency
Confidence
Strategic thinking
Management skills
Change in attitude
Decision making
Problem solving
Personal level

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Life skill index: Prioritizing life skills needed for youth involved in farm activities for sustainability
Life skill
Ranking given by experts for
No of experts
4
3
2
1
Cognitive/Thinking Skills
6
20
10
--
36
Interpersonal Skills
---
1
18
17
36
Management Skills
1
19
16
36
Impact of life skill training on farmers (Youth) N=70
Skills
Weightage given by Experts
Categories
Pre scores
Post scores
No & %
No & %
1. Cognitive skills
I
Low
53 (77%)
33 (47%)
Average
17 (23%)
25 (36%)
High
---
12 (17%)
II. Inter personal relationship skills
III
Low
24 (34%)
20 (29%)
Average
28 (40%)
28 (40%)
High
18 (26%)
22 (31%)
III. Management skills
II
Low
29 (41%)
21 (30%)
Average
30 (43%)
27 (39%)
High
11 (16%)
22 (31%)
Based on the pretest scores, Life skill education programmes
(10) were organized for the youth. Life skills were
demonstrated through group exercises, role plays, open ended
stories, Brain storming, Group activities, Games &
simulations, Situation analysis, Case studies, responding to
real life situations and Group discussions etc. Significant
improvement was observed in the post test scores.

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Following package of material was developed in support
of the framed objectives
 Life skill educational Training modules (10) in regional
language
 Success stories were documented from the study and
 DVDs were developed for Empowering young farmers
with relevant information & skill for Sustainable
Agricultural practices & livelihoods
Developed DVDs with video clippings for Empowering Young farmers with
information & skill for Sustainable Agricultural practices & livelihoods

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Based on Research results following Recommendations
were framed
 Agriculture students need to be involved in motivating
young farmers in rural areas to adopt integrated &
innovative farming practices for sustainable livelihoods
 Concerned stakeholders need to develop skill based e
modules (in regional language) for empowering youth
with adequate information & skills
 Farmer friendly portals need to be created & young
famers need to be trained in ICT to access information on
innovative & alternative farming system in view of
climate change
 Capacity Building of youth-There is an urgent need for
training and skill-building opportunities for young people
that can mould them for active participation in decision-
making processes.
 Engage youth actively-Youth must be recognised as
major stakeholders and need a platform where their
voices will be heard on issues that directly concern them.
 Facilitation-Youth Communication, Advocacy and
Networking. There is a need to guide youth in terms of
how to communicate their challenges, ideas and
experiences.
 Distance or short term skill based learning programmes
need to be offered by the SAUs (State Agricultural
Universities) for the semi-literate & literate young
farmers in rural areas.
Conclusion
 Youth constitute the most important sector in our society
and they are one of the greatest assets that any country
can have. For the country to be economically stable the
agricultural sector must be strong and youth have to be
encouraged to participate in agricultural activities.
 However the constraints which youth face needs to be
addressed i.e. Youth face many push back factors such as
inadequate rural credit facilities, low returns to
agricultural investments, lack of modern farming technics
and lack of access to farming inputs.
 Youth can be attracted to agriculture if they see meaning,
income opportunities as well as feel a sense of pride in
farming. Youth need training, effective mentors, coaches,
motivators.
 To harness the potential and energy of the youth for
agriculture, a comprehensive and integrated policy and
program on agrarian reform, rural development,
sustainable, agro-ecological production and farmer-
managed agro-based enterprises as well as on markets
and trade should be put in place, with special incentives
and provisions for young farmers.
 The community and the larger public must be sensitized
to the importance of the role of agriculture in the
economy and in ensuring food security. Respect for
farming should be built and more awareness should be
created in recognizing the role of farmers in agriculture.
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