Government and NGOs promoting youth entrepreneurship in agriculture are urged to complement capacity-building programs and campaigns with financial support to encourage young people to engage in agricultural production.
According to agricultural extension and leadership expert Dr Andrews Idun, supporting youth to enter agriculture requires more than awareness campaigns and training. It must also include adequate financial backing.
Dr Idun was commenting on the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and AGRA’s recent launch of the AgTractive Campaign to encourage more young people to venture into agricultural entrepreneurship.
Government says the AgTractive Campaign seeks to inspire young people to embrace modern agriculture as a respected, profitable, and future-building career pathway.
The campaign will highlight youth innovators and agripreneurs, promote modern tools and agritech solutions, and encourage young women, rural youth, and disadvantaged groups to see agriculture as a dignified and viable source of income.
Dr Idun says evidence from previous studies shows that campaigns and training without tangible support yield little.
He and other researchers published a study in the International Journal of Agricultural Extension that examined the intentions of participants in a mushroom training in the Ashanti Region to start their own farming ventures.
The paper titled “Agricultural workforce development: Applying Theory of Planned Behaviour to train agro-enterpreneurs” had Mihee Park of Auburn University and John J. Park of the Pillar Foundation International as co-authors.
The training program aimed to tackle three pressing challenges: air pollution, malnutrition, and unemployment. “In the end, even though all participants had a high intention to become agro-entrepreneurs, only four out of 150 participants actually started their own farming businesses,” the paper noted.
The study revealed that “while most participants found the training enjoyable and valuable for enhancing their knowledge and skills, they were reluctant to be agro-entrepreneurs due to concerns about initial financial investment and potential future risks.”
The study recommended that “to support agricultural training and entrepreneurship, local governments must create and implement practical policies and programs. Key initiatives should include providing financial incentives, grants, or low-interest loans to help training participants start their farming ventures.”
“In the long term, investing in infrastructure that supports agricultural activities is necessary. This includes improving transportation networks, ensuring access to markets, and providing reliable sources of water and electricity,” the study added.
Dr Idun says this is evidence that more needs to be done to support young people to venture into entrepreneurship.
“These results underscore the need for agricultural training programs to address not only technical knowledge and skills but also entrepreneurship education, including marketing and business strategies,” he said.
“Expanding resources and support systems, alongside fostering a community culture that encourages resilience and confidence, could empower more participants to overcome barriers and pursue agro-entrepreneurship,” he added.
Dr Idun said that the government and NGOs should provide not only technical skills, such as farming methods, but also business and marketing strategies. It’s crucial to equip participants with the knowledge to develop business plans, manage finances, access markets, and navigate supply chains.”
“This approach ensures that participants are prepared for the realities of running a business and not just the technical aspects of production. Ongoing mentorship can also provide the support needed to bridge the gap between training and real-world application,” Dr Idun added.
He said that collaboration with local governments, NGOs, and private-sector entities is also vital for leveraging resources and expertise. These partnerships can enhance the reach and effectiveness of training programs, ensuring they are well-supported and aligned with local needs.
Dr Idun said robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks are also essential for assessing the impact of these programs and enabling continuous improvement.
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