Are rural youth really aspiring for agriculture as their avocation ?

Present scenario of agriculture has become a matter of concern. Changing mindset of people and urbanization can be projected as main reason for this. Earlier, most of the farmers followed agriculture as the traditional occupation, believed it as a gift. They used to depend on the soil and their hard work. Over a period of time, stagnation in yield and escalation of input cost, have adversely affected the returns from farming. Further, farmers are forcing their children not to pursue farming as an occupation, instead enabling them to excel in academics to attain a sophisticated life in urban. Several reports have indicated that a large proportion of youth in the countryside is on their way out of agriculture. The study was conducted in two villages of Tittakudi taluk of Cuddalore district The sample size consisted of 60 rural youth. Proportionate random sampling procedure was employed in selecting the respondents. A majority of rural youth (73.33%) had medium level of general aspirations on agriculture as their profession/business/career. The study analyses interest and involvement level of rural youth in farming. Further, it focuses on the future course of action to strengthen the presence of rural youth in farming.