Role of Youth in Indian Agriculture: Drivers of a Healthy and Prosperous Future

Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Assistant Professor, School of Agricultural Studies, Geeta University, Panipat

Introduction

India, with a population of over 1.4 billion, is predominantly an agrarian economy. Agriculture contributes around more than 17 percent to the national GDP and employs additional than half of the workforce. Yet, India’s agricultural sector is at a turning point-facing challenges like climate change, low productivity, fragmented landholdings, and migration of labor to urban centers. Amidst these challenges lies a powerful yet underutilized demographic advantage—India’s youth.

With more than 65% of the population below the age of 35, India boasts one of the youngest populations in the world. The involvement of youth in agriculture is not just desirable—it is essential. Their energy, education, innovation, and familiarity with technology can revolutionize the way agriculture is practiced and perceived.

Present Scenario of Youth Participation in Agriculture

Agriculture has long been the pillar of the Indian economy, providing livelihoods to over maximum of the residents. However, there has been a noticeable drop in young people’s involvement in agriculture in recent years. Despite India having one of the youngest populations globally—with over 65% below the age of 35—the enthusiasm among youth for pursuing agriculture as a career remains low. This trend is a cause for concern, especially in the context of an aging farming population and the increasing challenges of sustainable food production.

One of the key factors contributing to this trend is the perception of agriculture as a low-income, labor-intensive, and non-prestigious occupation. Many young individuals view farming as an occupation of last resort rather than one of opportunity and innovation. They are often dissuaded by the uncertainties of crop yields, market fluctuations, dependence on monsoons, and lack of modern infrastructure. As a result, rural youth frequently migrate to urban areas in search of more stable and lucrative employment options in sectors like IT, manufacturing, and services.

Another major barrier is the issue of land ownership. In many rural households, land titles are controlled by older family members, leaving younger generations with limited decision-making authority. Without ownership or long-term leasing rights, youth are often reluctant to invest their time and resources in farming activities. Moreover, obtaining credit and agricultural inputs is difficult for landless youth, further discouraging their participation.

Despite these challenges, growing recognition of the essential to engage youth in agriculture to make sure there is food security and rural development. A small but significant number of young individuals, especially those with agricultural education, are beginning to embrace contemporary agricultural methods, start agri-based enterprises, and leverage technology to transform traditional farming. They are exploring opportunities in organic farming, agri-tourism, food processing, supply chain management, and digital agriculture.

The Indian government and various institutions have also launched initiatives such as the ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) programme, the RKVY-RAFTAAR agri-startup scheme, and various skill development programs under Skill India to provide training, funding, and entrepreneurial support. These efforts are meant to bridge the gap between traditional agriculture and modern agribusiness, making farming a more attractive and viable career option for youth.

Moreover, the upsurge of agritech startups and the amalgamation of digital tools—like mobile apps, drones, AI, and IoT—has opened new frontiers for tech-savvy youth to participate in agriculture without necessarily engaging in physical labor. These innovations are helping rebrand agriculture as a sector full of possibilities rather than limitations.

Obstacles Young People Face in Agriculture

Youth of India, despite being the largest demographic group in the country, face several challenges regarding pursuing agriculture as a profession. These challenges range from socio-economic and cultural factors to the lack of infrastructure and opportunities. In this section, we explore some of the key challenges that hinder youth participation in agriculture.

Perception of Agriculture as a Low-Status Occupation

One of the biggest barriers to youth participation in agriculture is the perception that farming is a low-status, back-breaking, and outdated profession. Many young people in rural areas view agriculture as a job of last resort, reserved for older generations who have limited options. They often consider it a labor-intensive occupation with minimal social prestige and poor returns on investment. Accordingly, they prefer to migrate to urban areas in search of better job opportunities in more modern and “respectable” sectors such as IT, manufacturing, and services.

Financial Constraints and Lack of Access to Credit

Youth in rural areas often face significant financial barriers when trying to enter agriculture. They typically do not have enough savings or access to capital to invest in farming or agribusiness ventures. Moreover, young farmers without land ownership or long-term leasehold rights face difficulty in securing loans from financial institutions and banks. Without the necessary financial support, young people cannot afford to invest in contemporary farming methods, technology, or even basic agricultural inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.

Lack of Land Ownership or Control

Land ownership is a main constraint for youth wanting to take up farming as a profession. In many rural households, land is traditionally inherited from previous generations, and youth often do not have control or ownership rights over the land. In many belongings, the land-living is inherited by older family members, leaving young age people with little say in the farming decisions or the opportunity to make long-term investments in the land. Without secure land tenure, youth are unwilling to take the financial risks associated with agriculture, thus perpetuating the cycle of low youth involvement.

Inadequate Infrastructure and Technology

Agriculture in India continues to rely on traditional practices in many parts of the country. While some regions have access to contemporary technologies and infrastructure, many rural areas still suffer from inadequate infrastructure in terms of irrigation, storing, and carriage. This lack of modern facilities makes it difficult for young people to see cultivation as a profitable venture. Additionally, the absence of digital literacy and technology tools in pastoral zones further discourages young people from exploring opportunities in precision farming, agri-businesses, and digital agriculture platforms.

Microclimate variations and Environmental Risks

Microclimate change’s impacts have made farming even more unpredictable, with Variable weather patterns posing significant risks to crop production. Young farmers, particularly those in rainfed or dryland areas, are particularly susceptible to these environmental challenges. Many youth lack the knowledge or resources to manage these risks, and the insecurity created by these factors makes agriculture an unattractive option. Without adequate climate resilience training or support, youth are likely to view farming as a high-risk career.

Restricted Educational and Training Opportunities

The scarcity of formal agricultural education and training is another issue. Even though India has agricultural colleges and universities, many young people in rural areas still have a long way to go before they can access high-quality education and specialized training. Young people are less likely to work in agriculture if they lack adequate understanding of contemporary farming methods, crop management, pest control, and agricultural technologies. The disconnect between young people and contemporary farming methods is made worse in rural regions by the lack of vocational and skill development programs.

Relocating to Cities

One of the main causes of young people’s decreasing involvement in agriculture is migration from rural to urban areas. Young people frequently leave agriculture in quest of better employment prospects, greater access to infrastructure, and a higher standard of living in urban areas. Young people are drawn away from the agricultural sector by the superior educational opportunities, professional career opportunities, and higher standard of life that urban regions provide.

Youth’s Contribution to Agriculture Transformation

Youth’s Contribution in transforming agriculture is crucial, particularly in a country like India, where the agriculture sector continues to play a vital role in the economy. With the encounters of climate change, resource depletion, and an aging farming population, youth can be the key to driving innovation, sustainability, and modernization in agriculture. The enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and technological expertise that youth contribute can change the agricultural environment and guarantee future generations’ access to food.

Adopting Modern and Sustainable Farming Techniques

Young farmers are increasingly adopting modern agricultural techniques that can significantly enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Practices such as timely application in farming, organic farming, vertical farming, and agroforestry are gaining popularity among youth. These techniques not only improve yield but also promote sustainability, biodiversity, and soil wellbeing. With the help of technology, youth are able to reduce resource wastage and increase efficiency in water, nutrient, and energy usage.

Leveraging Technology and Innovation

Technology is significant drivers of change in agriculture, and youth are at the ahead of embracing this transformation. Young farmers are increasingly using mobile applications, drones, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor crops, manage irrigation systems, and predict weather patterns. These technologies enable precise data-driven decisions that enhance crop health, decrease losses, and advance market access. Youth are also exploring agritech startups, bringing new harvests and facilities that make farming more profitable, less risky, and more sustainable.

Agri-Entrepreneurship and Startups

Many young people enters into agri-business and agritech startups, diversifying the agricultural value chain. These agri-preneurs associated in food processing, packaging, supply chain management, and agri-based services, such as cold storage facilities, farm-to-fork delivery systems, and consultancy. Youth-led initiatives in ecofriendly agricultural methods, eco-friendly packaging, and waste-to-value solutions are creating new income streams and job opportunities in villages. By concentrating on value-added agricultural products, youth are transforming agriculture from traditional crop farming to a more diverse, business-oriented sector.

Improving Agricultural knowledge and Talent Expansion

Younger generations are bringing fresh ideas to agricultural education, driving reforms that focus on practical training, technological skills, and innovation. Many young blood with higher education in agriculture are taking up roles in teaching, research, and extension services, contributing to the blowout of knowledge and modern farming techniques to rural areas. The younger generation is actively participating in agricultural universities, research institutes, and government schemes to acquire knowledge about new crop varieties, sustainable farming methods and pest control. Additionally, they contribute significantly to the improvement of production and livelihoods in rural communities by teaching other farmers agricultural skills.

Promoting Reforms in Policy

Youth are playing a central role in advocating for agriculture policies that are more inclusive, progressive, and geared toward sustainability. They are engaged in pushing for reforms in subsidies, MSP, access to finance, land rights, and rural infrastructure. Many young agriculturalists are also promoting the inclusion of women and marginalized communities in farming. With their digital literacy and awareness, they are influencing policy decisions at local, state, and national levels, advocating for policies that can uplift small farmers and make agriculture a more viable and profitable profession.

Encouraging Climate-Resilient Farming

The transition to climate-resilient agriculture is mostly driven by young people. Young people are pushing sustainable farming methods that lessen the effects of extreme weather occurrences like floods, droughts, and heatwaves because they are more conscious of environmental issues and climate change. Young farmers are increasingly adopting techniques including agro-ecological farming, crop diversification, rainwater gathering, and the adoption of drought-resistant crop types. By promoting less use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, young people are also helping to raise awareness of the significance of lowering carbon footprints in agriculture.

Enhancing Rural Livelihoods and Employment

Young people in rural areas are generating jobs for others as well as for themselves thanks to their entrepreneurial spirit. They are boosting rural economies by adopting new technologies and diversifying farming practices. Jobs in industries like marketing, logistics, and agro-processing are opening up as a result of young people getting involved in agriculture. Furthermore, youth-led projects like cooperative societies and community farming are enhancing rural communities’ quality of life and fostering the development of social capital.

Government Initiatives to Engage Youth

The Indian government, recognizing the importance of youth, has launched several schemes:

• a. ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) – Launched by ICAR to promote rural entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors.
• b. RKVY-RAFTAAR – Offers grants and incubation support to agri-startups through business incubation centers.
• c. Skill India and PMKVY – Provides training in various agri-related trades like dairy, fisheries, farm machinery, and food processing.
• d. National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) – Offers online market access to digitally savvy youth.
• e. Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) – Encourages agriculture graduates to set up service ventures in rural areas.

Strategies to Encourage Youth Participation

• a. Land Leasing Reforms – Facilitate legal mechanisms for leasing land to youth for agricultural use.
• b. Financial Support – Special credit schemes, low-interest loans, and startup grants should be designed for youth.
• c. Infrastructure Development – Invest in rural infrastructure—roads, irrigation, cold storage, and digital connectivity.
• d. Recognition and Social Prestige – Award and recognize young agripreneurs to elevate the status of agriculture.
• e. Curriculum Reforms – Integrate entrepreneurship and practical training in agricultural education.

Future Prospects and Vision 2047

As India marches toward its centenary of independence in 2047, a youth-driven agricultural transformation is crucial. The vision should include:

• At least 25% of rural youth engaged in agri-entrepreneurship.
• Digital literacy for every young farmer.
• Youth-led cooperatives and FPOs across every block.
• Agriculture becoming a high-tech, aspirational sector.

Conclusion

Youth are not just the future of Indian agriculture—they are its present. Their integration into agriculture with the right support systems can rejuvenate the sector, making it profitable, sustainable, and resilient. A youth-driven agricultural transformation will not only ensure food security but also address rural poverty, unemployment, and environmental degradation. For this transformation to occur, stakeholders across policy, academia, industry, and civil society must act together—investing in youth, building inclusive institutions, and nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. The seeds of change are in the hands of the young—let’s empower them to sow a better tomorrow.