Attracting youth in Agriculture Context and Proposals

Brief Description Carryout study- in 4 VDCs of 2 districts, interviewed with 52 youths (at the age of 18 to 35)from Mohattari district and 42 youths from Lalitpur. FGD, literature review,....,=94 National Consultation (representatives from Ministry, National committee of Family Farming, various agricultural co-operatives, organizations and associations working in the field of Youth and Agriculture, journalists, Civil Society, Youth farmers=53 Persons)

6/4/20163

Major issues and Concerns 74 % people depend on agriculture. It provides net employment to 66 % people but GDP contribution from agriculture sector remain only 32%. Almost fifty percent of people are youth between years of age. Even if we consider the youth as age group, it occupies per cent of the total population of Nepal (EC, 2013). Youth migration (1,200-1,700 in a day) leading negative impact on agriculture. Lacked agricultural land. No land resources those youths want to do agriculture business. (detached labor-land and capital) Having no interest in agricultural profession, taken as a dominated profession Lacked technical knowledge on commercial farming

Major Findings Subsistence oriented farming discouraged to youths to come in agriculture. Not includes for young farmers at policy level and not listen their voices by policy makers.

6/4/20167 Fig. 4:Land Ownership status of respondents

8 Fig. 6: Percentage of young farmers initiating commercial farming

6/4/20169 Fig.8 Major problem faced by young farmers in the study area

6/4/ Fig. 9: percentage of youth migrating abroad for employment

Major recommendations Should ensure the young farmers participation and involvement in decision-making processes. Need to more active than ever before the Youth Self Employment Fund Program that should be directed to youth willing to involve in agriculture to make easy access to credit. Strengthening youth oriented agricultural groups and clubs, enhance agricultural education and training for skill development. Matching grants to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, including Innovation Fund and Agro-Entrepreneurship Programs targeted to youth and women.

Major recommendations Insurance services to provide the young farmers full assurance at the time of risk and uncertainty. Agriculture should link with generate employment and entrepreneurship. Need to be share successful stories of youth involvement in agriculture (mainly those are back after foreign countries) to raising awareness and advocacy campaigns through youth networks and using IT.

Gains/benefit Youths are motivated to join at the NLRF, their is possibilities to develop more youth frontline leaders. Realized an important issues with in land rights movement.

questions/comments please!!! 6/4/