Determining the tendencies of rural young people to stay in agriculture: Case of Tokat

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the agricultural perspectives of young people living in rural areas and to determine their migration behavior. For this purpose, the expectations of rural youth in the region from agriculture, their intention to migrate, their reasons for migration and their behaviors were examined. In the study, the socio-economic structure of the households where the young people live was also investigated, and the perspectives of the young people's parents on agriculture and migration were also examined and the effect of the parents' perspectives on the migration behavior of the youth was determined. The data of the study were obtained from face-to-face surveys with a total of 78 young people living in the villages of five different districts of Tokat and their household heads. The young people who participated in the survey were selected in the 15-29 age range for purpose. The data obtained from the questionnaires were evaluated using GDI (Migration Behavior Index) analysis and Chi-square analysis, and the results were presented in charts. According to the research findings, it has been determined that 72% of the young people want to migrate from the rural area they live in, 20% do not want to migrate, and 8% are undecided on this issue. All of the young people who want to migrate plan to work in non-agricultural areas where they migrate. 14 indicators were determined to determine the migration behavior index of rural youth with migration intention. It has been determined that factors such as the way young people migrate, the work plan, and the family's approach to the migration decision play a decisive role in their migration behavior. In Tokat, important investments are invested in agricultural areas, both in rural development and in the cultivation of plant and animal products. For this reason, it is seen that the migration data of the province has decreased in recent years. In order to ensure the continuity of agricultural activities and to encourage young people to agriculture, it will be beneficial to support agriculture-based industrial investments in the region. This support is of great importance in terms of transforming the agricultural products produced in Tokat into added value and creating new job opportunities. KEYWORDS: Migration, Rural to Urban Migration, Agriculture, Rural Young