Perception of Farm Households on the Impact of Migration of Rural Youths

Abstract

The study was conducted in the Bhiwani and Hisar districts of Haryana with a sample size of 96 respondents, selected from sixteen villages from four blocks. The data were collected through a personal interview technique using a well-structured interview schedule. The results revealed that advanced academic opportunities, better standard of living, lack of recognition of youths, and insufficient earnings from agriculture were the major encouragement factors for the migration of rural youths. In terms of perceived impact, the study concluded that migration of rural youth had both positive and negative impacts concerning agriculture. While migration increased investment in agriculture, farm mechanization, and crop diversity, it also led to greying and feminization of agriculture by leaving farm operations dependent on elderly and female members of households. The study will allow the policymakers to understand the major factors behind the migration of rural youths and initiate policies to reverse this trend.