Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development

During the past decade, the rural areas of India have experienced a continuous migration of young individuals to urban centers. This situation is both serious and alarming, as it has resulted in a significant vacuum in the villages. It has been noted by numerous enlightened individuals that the migration of rural youth has transformed the villages into virtual retirement homes, causing talented farm youth to shy away from farming. The book addressed in this text covers a range of issues, including the youth-concept, the characteristics and interests of rural youth, their aspirations; the role of rural youth in natural resource management; the use of ICTs and rural youth; various extension approaches and strategies; the SHGs and group approaches; the mobilization of rural youth; gender issues and women empowerment, and successful case studies on farm youth. The book is divided into several major subheadings, including farm youth in agriculture, capacity building of rural youth, entrepreneurship among rural youth, rural youth and information communication technology, women in agriculture, rural youth in integrated farming, leisure time utilization by rural youth, and case studies on rural youth.

K. Narayana Gowda hails from a farming family, obtained Masters and Doctoral degrees in Agricultural Extension from UAS, Bangalore with a Gold Medal for distinction in Ph.D. He is serving the University for 38 years in various capacities and as Dean (Agri.) before taking over as Vice Chancellor on 30-6-2010. Rendered significant service in Teaching, Research, Extension and Administration. Guided 10 Ph.D. and 11 M.Sc. (Agri.) students in Extension Education. Published 124 research papers in National and International journals and authored seven books. Dr.Gowda refined and adopted Rural Agriculture Work Experience Programme (RAWEP) model at UASB, which has been well received by students across the country.

The Rural Bio-Resource Complex Project under his leadership during 2005-2010 has generated three fold added income among 8340 families in Bangalore Rural district and registered 11 percent growth rate in agriculture. The IFS model of this project has been replicated among 1.25 lakh families in Karnataka and few selected places in the country. Responsible for establishment of 10 Commodity Based Associations, and Biofuel initiatives undertaken under the project gave impetus to start Biofuel Park, later Biofuel Task Force and finally Biofuel Development Board in Karnataka.

He has widely travelled in USA, UK, Spain, France, Belgium, Namibia, Pakistan and China besides heading many Committees at National and International level. Currently the Chairman of ARYA constituted by ICAR (2012). In recognition of his outstanding contributions he has been bestowed with 14 prestigious awards including Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Extension Scientist Award of ICAR during 2009.

M.S. Nataraju, currently Professor of Agricultural Extension and Coordinator, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-development Board, Government of India, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension with specialization in Agricultural Journalism from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He is the recipient of ICAR Senior Research Fellowship and Gold Medal for Best Research work. He had the unique opportunity of serving in Research, Extension and Teaching wings of the University for the past 30 years. Published over 250 scientific and techno-popular articles in various journals, authored ten books, edited more than 50 books, booklets and folders and participated in more than 50 National and International Workshops / Seminars, which includes visit to Srilanka, Phillipines, Hong Kong and Australia. He has guided three Ph.D. and ten M.Sc. (Agri) students at UAS, Bangalore, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra Open University, Maharashtra. Prof. M.S. Nataraju is an expert member of Central and State Agricultural Universities, GOI and ICAR Research Institutes. He is a member of several National and International professional societies and currently Councilor of International Society of Extension Education, Indian Society of Extension Education, Associate Editor of Journal of Extension Education and Secretary, India Society of Extension Education (Karnataka Chapter). He has been conferred with several awards including Dr. O.P. Dahama Memorial National Award (2010), Best Extension Professional Award (2011) and Fellow Mobilization Award (2012) for meritorious service and excellence in the field of Extension Education, Teaching and Training.

V. Veerabhadraiah, a renowned Agricultural Extension Scientist in the country, was born in 1945. He had a distinguished academic career throughout with specialization in agricultural extension management. He served the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore for about 38 years in various capacities and as the ICAR Emeritus Scientist after his retirement. He was the Research Supervisor for 17 Ph.D. and 34 M.Sc. scholars in agricultural extension and has published more than 200 papers and four books. He has served as either Chairman or Member of many Committees of the ICAR, Planning Commission, Government of Karnataka, other Agricultural Universities and UAS, Bangalore, and as an Expert Member of the Academic Council and Extension Education Council of other Agricultural Universities in the country. He was conferred with many Medals and Awards for his significant contribution to the field of Agricultural Extension. He is a Life Member of eight different Professional Societies and served as the President / Vice-President / Secretary of those Societies.