Geza Wendy, Ngidi Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas, Mudhara Maxwell, Slotow Rob, Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe
Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
African Centre of Food Security, School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Cogent Food Agric. 2023 Nov 16;9(2):2280365. doi: 10.1080/23311932.2023.2280365.
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.
非洲的发展中国家面临失业危机，有许多青年失业。农业已被确定为创造就业机会的战略部门，目标是青年，包括那些可能没有农业相关资质的青年。然而，各种挑战限制了青年参与农业价值链的成效。该研究旨在：（i）确定青年对农业价值链机会的认知；（ii）确定他们对自身在价值链中角色的看法；（iii）确定他们对针对青年的农业项目的看法以及他们对谁负责吸引青年从事农业的意见；（iv）描述农业领域青年赋权的动态情况。通过焦点小组讨论和在线调查收集数据，并使用SPSS和NVivo进行分析。知识匮乏、对农业价值链活动和职业的认知水平低以及不符合加工和零售企业的就业最低要求被确定为关键挑战。大多数青年对农产品加工等非初级活动感兴趣，这些活动的劳动强度较低，投资回报比农业生产更快。然而，促进青年参与农业的支持服务和项目主要侧重于初级活动，这表明青年的期望与当前的支持之间存在不匹配。了解支撑青年赋权和参与价值链的青年期望、看法和动态，对于促进参与和制定相关且有针对性的政策至关重要。此外，改善信息获取并提高对农业价值链的认知，对于减少进入障碍至关重要。政策制定者应将农业和粮食系统知识纳入小学教育课程，以提高青年的认知并在早期激发他们对农业食品系统职业的兴趣。
