Assessing the Performance and Participation among Young Male and Female Entrepreneurs in Agribusiness: A Case Study of the Rice and Maize Subsectors in Cameroon

Djomo Choumbou Raoul Fani, Ukpe Udeme Henrietta, Emmanuel Njock Oben, Donald Denen Dzever, Onyeje Hephzibah Obekpa, Auguste Tamba Nde, Mohamadou Sani, Mbong Grace Annih and Dontsop Nguezet Paul Martin
Additional contact information
Djomo Choumbou Raoul Fani: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 63, Cameroon
Ukpe Udeme Henrietta: Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University, Wukari, Wukari P.MB. 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria
Emmanuel Njock Oben: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 63, Cameroon
Donald Denen Dzever: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Makurdi P.M.B. 2373, Benue State, Nigeria
Onyeje Hephzibah Obekpa: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Makurdi P.M.B. 2373, Benue State, Nigeria
Auguste Tamba Nde: Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Bayero University, Kano P.M.B. 3011, Kano State, Nigeria
Mohamadou Sani: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Makurdi P.M.B. 2373, Benue State, Nigeria
Mbong Grace Annih: Department of Crop Production Technology, University of Bamenda, Bambili P.O. Box 39, Cameroon
Dontsop Nguezet Paul Martin: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Bukavu 0970 DR, Congo

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-19

Abstract: The role played by youth in agriculture cannot be overemphasized, while agribusinesses are important generators of employment and income worldwide. Improving the sustainability of food value chains can benefit millions of rural poor people living in developing countries, especially young women. Despite policies and programs aimed at encouraging agricultural entrepreneurs, they are still facing challenges such as high-cost agrochemicals, limited access to credit, price volatility, etc. which seriously affect their capacity to remain in the sector. This study was undertaken to assess the performance and participation of young male and female entrepreneurs. This study made use of cross-section data from a survey conducted on 1019 young agricultural entrepreneurs in Cameroon. The data were analyzed using gross margin, student t-test, and logistic regression. Our study contributes to the literature by showing that young women agribusiness entrepreneurs are as competitive as their male counterparts and that the opportunities for young women in agriculture are good. Incentives such as single-digit interest rates and no collateral security should be directed to young women to receive more credit for purchasing agrochemicals and improved varieties of seed. Furthermore, a price control policy should be set up throughout the year to enable young women earn as their young men counterparts to enable them remain in production and marketing activities.

Keywords: performance; participation; youth; entrepreneurs; male; female; gross margin; maize; rice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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