DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR MOBILIZING RURAL YOUTH FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN NWFP, PAKISTAN

Abstract

In Pakistan, approximately two third of the population is living in rural areas, which is mainly engaged in farming. At present, about one fourth population consists of youth. They are facing a number of problems. There is no effective youth development program. The agriculture extension services are still ignoring youth as dynamic partners of extension work. Realizing the importance of youth as an important sector of society and their potential contribution towards development, the government of Pakistan announced youth policy in 2002. It aims at turning young people into good citizens and providing them environment for harnessing their physical and mental facilities to become responsible and productive members of the society. Majority of Pakistani youth live in rural areas. This study was therefore planned to develop a strategy (recommended course of action) for mobilizing rural youth for the development of agriculture in NWFP, Pakistan. The study was conducted in Chokara Union Council of District Karak, NWFP. A simple random sample of 313 out of 1680 household was taken. All the youth (460) of the selected households were studied through personal interviews. The data thus, collected were analyzed statistically to draw conclusions and to suggest a course of action (strategy), which may be helpful for the administration of the Department of Agriculture (Extension), Government of NWFP; NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Local Government, and NGOs to mobilize rural youth for agricultural development. It was suggested that there should be separate wings for male youth called Quaid e Azam Youth Organization and for female youth Fatima Jinnah Youth Organization within the provincial department of agriculture (extension). Separate male and female but activity based youth clubs having 10 15 members should be organized at village level.