Youths’ Perceptions and Aspiration towards Participating in the Agricultural Sector: A South African Case Study

Johannes I. F. Henning, Nicolette Matthews, Moatlhodi August and Primrose Madende
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Johannes I. F. Henning: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Nicolette Matthews: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Moatlhodi August: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Primrose Madende: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa

Social Sciences, 2022, vol. 11, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: Agriculture is considered as a leading source of employment while ensuring food security to the world and especially rural communities. However, the youth do not appear to be interested in the agricultural sector due to various reasons such as their perceptions and aspirations towards the sector. This research intends to explore whether perceptions, aspirations and access to resources affect youth participation in agriculture and related economic activities, under rain-fed production in two regions of the Free State province of South Africa. Principal component analysis was used to determine perception dimensions, while a probit model was used to investigate the effect of capital (human, social, physical, financial and natural), the perception dimensions and the respondents’ agricultural aspirations on agricultural participation. The results showed that the aspirations of youth do not affect their decision to participate in the agricultural sector. However, exposure to agriculture and support systems can increase youth participation in the industry. Results also show that grants, which are an easy source of income, and the uneducated and comfort perception dimension hinders youth participation in agriculture.

Keywords: agriculture; sustainable livelihoods; youth; development; perception; aspiration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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