Factors affecting youth Participation in Agriculture in Ampara District

Abstract

This study investigates the factors affecting the participation of youths in agriculture who have the age ranges from 15 to 35 years old in Padiyathalawa Divisional Secretariat Division in Ampara district. The source of data used in this study is primary data which was collected through a structured questionnaire and a total sample of 150 youth respondents were purposively selected for the study to analyze the data. Results of frequency for gender shows that, 53.4% of the youths are females and 46.6% of them are males and 50% of the youths are participate and 50% of them are not participate in the agriculture. In case of training in agriculture, only 26% of them got some training related to agriculture and 74%of them do not have any training. The probit model was used to analyze the determinants of youth participation in agriculture where the dependent variable is a binary denoted as 1 for participate and 0 for non-participate. The estimated results of the model showed that age of the respondents, years of education, size of land and accessibility of credit are the factors significantly influenced the youth participation in agricultural activities. After estimate the probit model, marginal effects also analyzed and its results revealed that, as age of the farmers increases, the probability of participate in agriculture also increase and other factors such as, years of education, size of land and accessibility of credit also significantly influencing the likelihood of youth participation in agriculture. Apart from the above statistical analysis, the respondents were discussed with the researcher face to face interview and based on that, they have some issues on irrigation facilities and a lack of incentive programs. Based on the above findings, it is recommended that in order to develop agriculture activities, irrigation facilities should be developed and, a number of incentives programs such as trainings are needed to convince the youths that agriculture can provide a good career for them.