English Title: Perceptions of rural youth from farming families of North Eastern India towards agriculture

Agriculture contribution to Indian GDP is only 4%, but has been the mainstay for majority of the population of India. Of late the percentage of people involved in agriculture has declined drastically from 70% to 52%. Rapid decline in the participation of youth in agriculture was the major factor attributed for this decline. In the current study, an attempt is made to analyze the perceptions of the rural youth from Assam State of North Eastern India towards agriculture. The study was conducted in Kamrup rural district of Assam. Hundred male youth aged between 15-30, belonging to farming families were selected as respondents. Only mere 35 per cent respondents perceived agriculture as their future profession. Remaining respondents (65%) perceived that they will choose some other profession for their livelihood in the future. Out of the 65% having negative perception 36 per cent were currently working as cultivators or agriculture labourers. But they tend to remain in their present occupation only for a few more years. The poor income and productivity, lack of value for agriculture produce, uncertainty associated with weather, climate and pest, lack of social prestige, unavailability of bride for farmers were the chief constraints perceived by the respondents in farming. Abundance of construction labour in the nearby cities was the reason for the poor perception of agriculture. Many youth especially moderately educated youth considered agriculture as a temporary foothold till they get a better job in the cities. Study also revealed a major finding that majority of the educated unemployed youth were unwilling to work in field and tends to remain unemployed than being a farmer. The paper highlights the concern to food security of the country due to non-participation of youth in agriculture.