Awareness Among Rural Youth about Agriculture Related Livelihood Options in Hills of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Uttarakhand state is blessed with rare biodiversity which gives a great opportunity for diversified farming and
horticulture. Regardless of the livelihood options available for hill youth the migration rate have also been high
from the hill districts of the state. Low awareness about the agriculture related livelihood options may be one of
the reasons behind youth out-migration. Hence, the study was carried out in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand,
with descriptive research design. Two blocks were selected by random sampling and under each block two
villages were selected by simple random sampling method. Respondents were taken by census method. The
results of the study revealed that out of total eighty five livelihood options related to agriculture and allied
sectors, the awareness among rural youth was found to be low on 43 options, medium in the 18 areas and high
level of awareness in 24 areas as they were being traditionally cultivated in the area. The outcome of the study
may be used by stakeholders to strengthen the information communication network for ultimately providing a
sustainable livelihood to the rural youth and to reverse the out-migration from the hills of Uttarakhand.