Agriculture and youth employment in Wakiso district

Abstract

The focus of this study was agriculture and youth employment in Uganda using Wakiso District as a case study. Specifically, it analysed the factors influencing youth employment in agriculture; perceptions of youth towards agriculture for employment; and examined the contribution of agriculture to improving youth livelihood; and used the study findings to recommend strategies that can promote youth employment in agriculture. The study was informed by two theories; the Lewis model of dual economy and Participation by marginalisation and mobilisation by Anyidoho et al., (2012). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, which used a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A sample ofsize of 108 of both employed and unemployed youths and 22 key informants were selected to participate in the study. The study findings indicate that there are low levels of youth employment in agriculture. The study found various factors that influence youth employment in agriculture including agricultural knowledge, low profitability of agriculture, land accessibility and access to agricultural financing. The study found out that the there is a positive perception of youth towards agriculture for increased income and employment. However, the youth continue to shun it as a viable sector for employment due to its persistent subsistence in nature. Most of the youth appreciated the potential contribution of agriculture towards improving youth livelihood by ensuring food security, providing employment, improved welfare and poverty reduction. However, most of them were not in agriculture due to its subsistence nature, the sector being labour intensive with unattractive profits. Based on the finding, study recommends first, the inclusion of agriculture in the curriculum of formal education system at all levels to enhance agriculture training, knowledge and skills in agriculture practices; secondly, policy makers should involve the youth in the policy processes of agricultural programmes for their ownership by the youth and programme sustainability; thirdly, government should also allocate land for agricultural production to youth who are in organised in groups/cooperatives; fourth, for the youth to be encouraged to fully get involved in agriculture as their formal employment, there is need for sensitization and awareness programmes on the importance of agriculture to national, community and individual development; sharing of success stories of youth in agriculture; and there is a need for structural changes, away from subsistence farming to the promotion of sustainable agriculture with employment opportunities for the youth.