Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation

In South Africa, high unemployment rates persist, particularly among the country's youth and rural residents, exacerbating socio-economic challenges such as food insecurity and poverty. Despite government initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship to combat youth joblessness, participation...

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Main Authors: Ongama Giwu, Lelethu Mdoda, Samuel S. Ntlanga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2368097
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author Ongama Giwu
Lelethu Mdoda
Samuel S. Ntlanga
author_facet Ongama Giwu
Lelethu Mdoda
Samuel S. Ntlanga
author_sort Ongama Giwu
collection DOAJ
description In South Africa, high unemployment rates persist, particularly among the country's youth and rural residents, exacerbating socio-economic challenges such as food insecurity and poverty. Despite government initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship to combat youth joblessness, participation in agriculture remains low due to negative perceptions regarding the field's status and potential earnings. This study examines the socio-economic impact of youth involvement in agriculture, with a focus on job creation and poverty alleviation in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. Data was collected from 210 youth using a stratified random sampling method, and analysis was conducted using logit regression and propensity score matching techniques. The results indicate that youth engage in agriculture to enhance employment opportunities and household food security, making significant contributions to farm income and poverty reduction. Recommendations include government interventions such as mentorship programs and skills training to support youth in agricultural enterprises. These findings highlight the pressing need for targeted strategies to address youth poverty and vulnerability in South Africa.
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spelling doaj-art-a8682dee7b664da2a10bf836e97548052025-08-20T03:44:07ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862024-12-0110110.1080/23311886.2024.2368097Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviationOngama Giwu0Lelethu Mdoda1Samuel S. Ntlanga2Discipline of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaDiscipline of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaDiscipline of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaIn South Africa, high unemployment rates persist, particularly among the country's youth and rural residents, exacerbating socio-economic challenges such as food insecurity and poverty. Despite government initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship to combat youth joblessness, participation in agriculture remains low due to negative perceptions regarding the field's status and potential earnings. This study examines the socio-economic impact of youth involvement in agriculture, with a focus on job creation and poverty alleviation in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. Data was collected from 210 youth using a stratified random sampling method, and analysis was conducted using logit regression and propensity score matching techniques. The results indicate that youth engage in agriculture to enhance employment opportunities and household food security, making significant contributions to farm income and poverty reduction. Recommendations include government interventions such as mentorship programs and skills training to support youth in agricultural enterprises. These findings highlight the pressing need for targeted strategies to address youth poverty and vulnerability in South Africa.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2368097Agricultureentrepreneurshipmentorship programsskills trainingyouth unemploymentGrace Spencer, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
spellingShingle Ongama Giwu
Lelethu Mdoda
Samuel S. Ntlanga
Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation
Cogent Social Sciences
Agriculture
entrepreneurship
mentorship programs
skills training
youth unemployment
Grace Spencer, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
title Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation
title_full Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation
title_fullStr Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation
title_short Assessing the socio-economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation
title_sort assessing the socio economic impact of youth engagement in agricultural enterprise for employment creation and poverty alleviation
topic Agriculture
entrepreneurship
mentorship programs
skills training
youth unemployment
Grace Spencer, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2368097
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