M. B. Agnal, S. B. Goudapa, H. S. Sathish and Rangappa
Abstract
The present study was conducted to know the perception of rural youths towards sustainable agriculture followed in six villages viz., Yergol, Ramasamudra, Alipur, Tanagundi, Kannalli and Yeddalli Villages of Yadgir taluk during 2014-15. Twenty rural youths engaged in farming were considered for drawing sample for the study. By following random sampling procedures 20 respondents from each village, comprising total of 120 rural youths interviewed with a structured interview schedule designed for the purpose. The data was analysed by using appropriate statistical tools. The results of the study revealed that, majority of the respondents were educated up to middle school with possession of medium land holding. A large majority of the rural youths possessed medium to large orientation with respect to scientific, management, mass media participation, risk and achievement orientations. With regard to sustainable agricultural practices, in cropping system, cent per cent of rural youths perceived âcrop rotationâ as one of the major sustainable practice which helps to improve soil fertility and reduces pests and disease incidence with efficient use of nutrient available in the soil. A large majority of the rural youths perceived the sustainable practices viz., âuse of green leaf manureâ (97.50 %), âavailability of inputs in required quantity at right timeâ (94.17 %), ârecommended pesticide usageâ (90.83 %) âin situ water conservationâ (82.50 %), âapplication of organic manure to the fieldsâ (80.83 %) and âgrowing of eco friendly agro forestry trees in the waste landâ (80.83 %). Further, cent per cent of the respondents were opined the erratic, uneven and inadequate rainfall and fluctuation in market prices (94.17 %) as constraints in practice of the recommended sustainable agricultural practices.