Factors affecting rural youth participation in the smallholder farming sector

Youth participation in agriculture across Africa remains notably low, failing to reflect significant investments made in the sector. Much of the discussion to date on factors affecting rural youth participation in agriculture has occurred in the absence of robust and compelling evidence. As a result, most policy decisions rely on misconceptions about youth intentions and involvement in agriculture, leading to ineffective strategies for increasing their participation. This study aims to examine the factors influencing rural youth participation in agriculture, particularly in the context of smallholder farming. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire collected data from 200 youths (aged 15 to 35 years) across three districts of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate that the future of agriculture and food security in the study areas is uncertain, with more than 70% of the youth surveyed indicating they do not anticipate engaging in agriculture during the next five years. The factors associated with youth participation in agriculture were found to be multifaceted, encompassing demographic, economic, psychological, educational, and technological dimensions. To enhance youth involvement in agriculture, the study recommends a shift from the traditional siloed approach to an interdisciplinary strategy that includes comprehensive planning, investment, and decision-making.