‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Developing countries in Africa face an unemployment crisis, with many unemployed youth. Agriculture has been identified as a strategic sector for employment creation targeted at youth, including those who may not have agriculture-related qualifications. However, various challenges limit the effectiv...
| Autores principales: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
Informa UK Limited
2023
|
| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/134898 |
| _version_ | 1855537157685379072 |
|---|---|
| author | Geza, W. Ngidi, M. S. C. Mudhara, M. Slotow, R. Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe |
| author_browse | Geza, W. Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe Mudhara, M. Ngidi, M. S. C. Slotow, R. |
| author_facet | Geza, W. Ngidi, M. S. C. Mudhara, M. Slotow, R. Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe |
| author_sort | Geza, W. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Developing countries in Africa face an unemployment crisis, with many unemployed youth. Agriculture has been identified as a strategic sector for employment creation targeted at youth, including those who may not have agriculture-related qualifications. However, various challenges limit the effectiveness of youth participation in the agriculture value chain. The study aimed to (i) determine youth awareness of agricultural value-chain opportunities, (ii) determine their perception of their role in the value chain, (iii) determine their perception of agricultural programs targeting youth and their opinions on who is responsible for attracting youth into agriculture and, (iv) to characterise the dynamics of youth empowerment in agriculture. Data was collected using focus group discussions and an online survey and analysed using SPSS and NVivo. Poor knowledge, low levels of awareness of agricultural value-chain activities and careers, and not meeting the minimum requirements for employment in processing and retail businesses were identified as key challenges. Most youth were interested in non-primary activities such as agro-processing, which are less labour-intensive and have a quicker return on investment than agricultural production. However, support services and programs for promoting youth participation in agriculture mainly focus on primary activities, signifying a mismatch between youth aspirations and current support. Understanding youth aspirations, perceptions and dynamics underpinning youth empowerment and participation in value chains is critical for promoting participation and formulating relevant and responsive policies. Additionally, improving access to information and building awareness of agricultural value chains is crucial in reducing barriers to entry. Policymakers should integrate agriculture and food systems knowledge into the primary education curriculum to promote youth awareness and evoke interest in agri-food system careers at an early age. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace134898 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publishDateRange | 2023 |
| publishDateSort | 2023 |
| publisher | Informa UK Limited |
| publisherStr | Informa UK Limited |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1348982025-10-26T12:51:19Z ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Geza, W. Ngidi, M. S. C. Mudhara, M. Slotow, R. Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe youth employment participation agricultural value chains inclusion empowerment awareness-raising partnerships food systems rural development socioeconomic aspects stakeholders case studies Developing countries in Africa face an unemployment crisis, with many unemployed youth. Agriculture has been identified as a strategic sector for employment creation targeted at youth, including those who may not have agriculture-related qualifications. However, various challenges limit the effectiveness of youth participation in the agriculture value chain. The study aimed to (i) determine youth awareness of agricultural value-chain opportunities, (ii) determine their perception of their role in the value chain, (iii) determine their perception of agricultural programs targeting youth and their opinions on who is responsible for attracting youth into agriculture and, (iv) to characterise the dynamics of youth empowerment in agriculture. Data was collected using focus group discussions and an online survey and analysed using SPSS and NVivo. Poor knowledge, low levels of awareness of agricultural value-chain activities and careers, and not meeting the minimum requirements for employment in processing and retail businesses were identified as key challenges. Most youth were interested in non-primary activities such as agro-processing, which are less labour-intensive and have a quicker return on investment than agricultural production. However, support services and programs for promoting youth participation in agriculture mainly focus on primary activities, signifying a mismatch between youth aspirations and current support. Understanding youth aspirations, perceptions and dynamics underpinning youth empowerment and participation in value chains is critical for promoting participation and formulating relevant and responsive policies. Additionally, improving access to information and building awareness of agricultural value chains is crucial in reducing barriers to entry. Policymakers should integrate agriculture and food systems knowledge into the primary education curriculum to promote youth awareness and evoke interest in agri-food system careers at an early age. 2023-12-31 2023-11-30T22:43:45Z 2023-11-30T22:43:45Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/134898 en Open Access Informa UK Limited Geza, W.; Ngidi, M. S. C.; Mudhara, M.; Slotow, R.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023. ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Cogent Food and Agriculture, 9(2):2280365. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2280365] |
| spellingShingle | youth employment participation agricultural value chains inclusion empowerment awareness-raising partnerships food systems rural development socioeconomic aspects stakeholders case studies Geza, W. Ngidi, M. S. C. Mudhara, M. Slotow, R. Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title | ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full | ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_short | ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_sort | is there value for us in agriculture a case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in kwazulu natal south africa |
| topic | youth employment participation agricultural value chains inclusion empowerment awareness-raising partnerships food systems rural development socioeconomic aspects stakeholders case studies |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/134898 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gezaw istherevalueforusinagricultureacasestudyofyouthparticipationinagriculturalvaluechainsinkwazulunatalsouthafrica AT ngidimsc istherevalueforusinagricultureacasestudyofyouthparticipationinagriculturalvaluechainsinkwazulunatalsouthafrica AT mudharam istherevalueforusinagricultureacasestudyofyouthparticipationinagriculturalvaluechainsinkwazulunatalsouthafrica AT slotowr istherevalueforusinagricultureacasestudyofyouthparticipationinagriculturalvaluechainsinkwazulunatalsouthafrica AT mabhaudhitafadzwanashe istherevalueforusinagricultureacasestudyofyouthparticipationinagriculturalvaluechainsinkwazulunatalsouthafrica |