Perception of farm families towards farming as an occupation

The present study was conducted in Punjab State (India) to identify the perception of farm families towards farming as an occupation The primary data are collected from 200 farm families across five agro climatic zones of Punjab namely zone I (sub - mountain undulating zone), zone II (undulating plain zone). Zone III (central plain zone), Zone IV (western plain zone) and zone V (western zone) through structured interview schedule from 2016–2020. The study revealed that vast majority (95.5%) of farm families had negative perception towards farming as an occupation with only 4 per cent having positive perception. Perception varied significantly in all zones with regard to perception of fathers, mothers and children for economic and physical factors, whereas socio-cultural factors and psychological factors were perceived similarly in different zones by all three members of the farm families. Individually in none of the zones, the difference between perception of three members was significantly different for economic, socio-cultural and psychological factors. However, the difference in perception of the physical factors between family members was only significant in zone I and zone II. Difference in perception of the personal factors associated with farming among the family members was significant in all zones except III and IV. The study highlights the negative perception of farm families towards farming as an occupation. Zone wise understanding of factors associated with perception and take action accordingly. The action can be a perception targeting specific programmes organized at school level or village level or a part of existing capacity building exercises conducted by extension personnel.