Rural Youth and their Opportunities for Employment in Agri-Allied Sector: A Case of Bargarh District in Odisha

There has been a lot of debate over employment and its opportunities in the recent times. With more
number of reverse migrations occurring daily and lack of employment opportunities for the rural youth,
there has been increasing concern about the entrepreneurial activities for rural youth and their
involvement therein. However, for any agri-allied start-up, the opportunities and options available play
a major role. Thus, a study was conducted on the livelihood opportunities available in agri-allied
sector in Bargarh district of Odisha and to analyze the constraints faced by the respondents therein.
The findings of the study revealed that majority of respondents (mean score=1.30) were engaged in
vegetable vending business where as oil extraction unit (mean score=1.03) was least preferred. Dairy
unit (mean score=1.19) in animal husbandry based inventories was preferred over others,
engagement in forestry based inventories revealed collection of Mahua flower/fruit (mean score=1.09)
was ranked first while Lac cultivation and processing ranked fourth (mean score=1.02). Major findings
revealed that there was a need to overcome the constraints by access to agricultural implements and
equipments at low price followed by availability of agricultural credit at proper time, correspondence of
right information at right time by extension officers, conduction of extension activities viz, kisan mela,
demonstration, exhibition, training, visits, training requirements on improved poultry farming, fish
farming and livestock managements, facilitation of crop insurance, recommended information on seed
and fertilizer at proper time, herbicides and pesticide in low price and provision of irrigation facility
respectively. The study suggests that for effective participation of rural youth in native entrepreneurial
activities, motivation is primarily required along with proper training and orientation about self
employment programmes. It is essential to understand that the rural youth need to be motivated and
trained and moreover made aware about the opportunities for their livelihood. Thus, proper training
and orientation about self-employment programmes are required. Odisha Youth Innovation Fund
(OYIF) may be used by the rural youth to set up new enterprises with the support from the
government.