Socio-Economic Characteristics Influencing the Rural Youth’s Attitudes toward Employment in Agricultural Activities in Semnan Province of Iran

 This study aimed at investigating socio-economic
characteristics influencing the rural youth’s attitudes toward employment in
agricultural activities in Semnan province of Iran. It was conducted in a
causal relationship method. The statistical society included the rural youth,
between 18 to 24 years, living in rural areas of the province (102089 people).
The sample size was determined based on Krejcie and Morgan table (384 persons).
The method used to access the samples was a stratified random sampling method. The
result of multiple regression indicated that interest in agricultural
activities, agricultural land area, collaboration with agricultural service
centers, willingness to team work, cooperation with rural council, and
collaboration with Jihad for Agriculture administration had a positive impact and
collaboration with production cooperatives, having technical knowledge and
information had a negative impact on the attitudes of the studied people,
anticipating some 47.7 percent of the variance of the dependent variable. This
study recommended the development of high school agricultural training centers
in rural areas, design and implementation of appropriate educational programs
such as visits to successful projects and entrepreneurs, design and
implementation of participatory programs, appropriate policies and support for
young people in rural areas.