Perception and Challenges of Rural Youth Towards Agribusiness

Abstract

Indian agriculture today does not stand on any one level when it comes to its development. Transition of agriculture towards agribusiness conveys that present day farmers are practicing agriculture in professional manner with intent of transforming it into commercial and more profitable activity as compared to early days. Agri-business generates potential employment opportunities too in agribusiness management and trade. Due to its nature of covering a wide range of activities of differing magnitude, agribusiness has got tremendous scope. The youth cohort plays a pivotal role across nations, exhibiting vibrancy, innovation, dynamism, and a commendable enthusiasm required to catalyze prospects for domestic progress. They manifest ardor, drive, and a resolute mindset, rendering them an invaluable reservoir of human capital. The developmental trajectory of a nation is contingent upon the magnitude of its youthful demographic, underscoring their instrumental role in its advancement. Therefore, keeping all this in mind the present study was undertaken with the objective to explore the perception and challenges about agribusiness among rural youth. The study was conducted in four districts of Haryana state where Agri Business Centers were located. Thus from Bhiwani, Jind, Hisar, and Kurukshetra districts a sample of 240 rural youth from 16 villages formed the sample of the study. It was found that majority of the respondents had medium level of perception regarding economic, informational and technological aspects while high level of perception towards social and psychological aspects of Agribusiness activities. In relation to challenges perceived by rural youth in agribusiness, the study found that business know how and access to affordable employees were the most challenge that were perceived by youth when venture into agribusiness.