Motivational factors for attracting and retaining youths in agriculture through new ventures of agro-skills

youths prefer to do minimum wage jobs rather than doing agriculture. If this situation persists in the future, it will be a herculean task to maintain country’s food security. “Agriculture is the backbone of our country”, more than 50% of labour force are engaged in agriculture and in order to retain the backbone straight, timely, convenient measures need to implement to foster towards food security.1 Land under agriculture is declining due to several socioeconomic and natural causes. In this context the R & D of our country have to give timely emphasis for raising agriculture productivity through hi-tech and modern technologies. And who else better than youths can adopt and apply hi-tech and modern technologies? India blessed to have so many capable youngsters in a place which is full of opportunities. This is our greatest asset. Young mind are creative and youth is capable of achieving seemingly impossible task. United Nation defined youth age group as 15-25, but in India, youth is in the age group of 13-35 years2 which constitute 46% of the total population of the country. Knowing the vitality of rural youth in a youthful country, especially for the purpose of agricultural development from the point of view of Indias food security, the apex body ICAR begins on a program on “Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture” (ARYA). The objectives of ARYA are (i) To captivate and accredit the Youth in Rural Areas to take up different Agriculture, allied and service sector enterprises for sustainable income and gainful employment in selected districts, (ii) to set up a conglomeration by creating groups for secondary agriculture such as value addition, processing and trading (iii) to show various linkages with various sectors and stakeholders available under various schemes/program for sustainable development of youth. ARYA project will focus into the area of apiary, mushroom, seed Processing, soil testing, poultry, dairy, goatry, carp-hatchery, vermin-compost etc. Rural youths will be identified for their skill development in entrepreneurial activities. The purpose is to establish economic models for youth in the villages so that youth get attracted in agriculture and overall rural situation is improved. Skill development of rural youths will help in additional employment opportunities in rural areas.