Rural youth make up a large segment of the total rural population . They will be beneficiaries of agricultural production resources. For the sustainability of production, they need training in various domains. This research was carried out to determine training needs of rural youth and factors influencing those needs. With this in mind, their training needs in 6 domains as well as the effects of 9 factors on their skills were examined. The field survey research method was employed. The population consisted of rural youth of Amol township. A number of 189 youth of 15-24 years of age from 21 villages were selected through stratified random sampling. The data were analyzed using SPSS.PC. Statistical methods used in the study were frequency count, distributions, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. The results indicated lwo youth skills so that, in the rice production stages (planting, growing, harvesting), improving production methods, farm machinery service and maintenance, as well as cultivation of Berseem clover, respectively 75.1, 83.1, 65.5, 60.5, 89.5, and 81.9 percent of respondents needed special training. Differences between skills of youth in some areas were statistically significant. Literacy at merely higher levels was found to have statistically significant effect on the youths’ skills. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that variables like age, experience, and availability of information resources were considered to be the most effective factors in predicting youth skills as well as training needs.
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