‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of KwaZulu-Natalen_US
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Water Management Instituteen_US
cg.contributor.donorWellcome Trusten_US
cg.contributor.donorAdaptation Funden_US
cg.contributor.donorNational Research Foundation, South Africaen_US
cg.contributor.donorCGIAR Trust Funden_US
cg.contributor.initiativeDiversification in East and Southern Africaen_US
cg.coverage.countrySouth Africaen_US
cg.coverage.iso3166-alpha2ZAen_US
cg.coverage.regionSouthern Africaen_US
cg.creator.identifierMabhaudhi T: 0000-0002-9323-8127en_US
cg.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2280365en_US
cg.identifier.iwmilibraryH052406en_US
cg.isijournalISI Journalen_US
cg.issn2331-1932en_US
cg.issue2en_US
cg.journalCogent Food and Agricultureen_US
cg.reviewStatusPeer Reviewen_US
cg.volume9en_US
dc.contributor.authorGeza, W.en_US
dc.contributor.authorNgidi, M. S. C.en_US
dc.contributor.authorMudhara, M.en_US
dc.contributor.authorSlotow, R.en_US
dc.contributor.authorMabhaudhi, Tafadzwanasheen_US
dc.date.accessioned2023-11-30T22:43:45Zen_US
dc.date.available2023-11-30T22:43:45Zen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/134898en_US
dc.title‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africaen_US
dcterms.abstractDeveloping 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.en_US
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Accessen_US
dcterms.available2023-11-16en_US
dcterms.bibliographicCitationGeza, 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]en_US
dcterms.issued2023-11-16en_US
dcterms.languageenen_US
dcterms.licenseCC-BY-4.0en_US
dcterms.publisherInforma UK Limiteden_US
dcterms.subjectyouth employmenten_US
dcterms.subjectparticipationen_US
dcterms.subjectagricultural value chainsen_US
dcterms.subjectinclusionen_US
dcterms.subjectempowermenten_US
dcterms.subjectawareness-raisingen_US
dcterms.subjectpartnershipsen_US
dcterms.subjectfood systemsen_US
dcterms.subjectrural developmenten_US
dcterms.subjectsocioeconomic aspectsen_US
dcterms.subjectstakeholdersen_US
dcterms.subjectcase studiesen_US
dcterms.typeJournal Articleen_US

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