While agriculture can and does have a positive effect in many countries, it remains unattractive to young people. Farmers across the globe regularly confront issues such as climate change, pests and invasive species, outdated farming practices and limited access to technology, all of which hinder productivity and income generation.
Most young people consider agriculture to be unattractive due to the limited access, low returns and lack of a market-led approach in the African agricultural sector. In addition, many jobs in the agricultural sector have a strong seasonal component or are categorised as vulnerable.
Why don’t more youth work in the agricultural sector?
Also, youth complain that it takes much longer time to achieve success in the field of agriculture than it would normally take for those in politics, oil or banking. Since most youth want money fast, very few are willing to take to a field like agriculture. If most Africans work in the Agricultural sector, how come it has to Import so much Food?
Why do young people study agriculture?
They study agriculture because it is an easier alternative and for the sake of having a paper degree. Youths in farming, often complain that agriculture is not attractive enough in terms of compensation and conditions of service compared to what other professions like law, medicine, or banking offer.
Why do some young people hate agriculture?
In primary and secondary school, cultivation of food in the school garden has been used as a punishment for every offence committed at school by the children, which has made many young people hate Agriculture. For failing to get an exam pass mark, you would be made to slash a bush every evening for a week or dig half an acre of potatoes.
What role for youth in agriculture and food production?
Judith Musika, 22, is a member of a youth group that produces yogurt in Uganda. Youth in agriculture and food production play an important role in addressing unemployment and food insecurity. Photo by Fábio Erdos/Heifer International.
Why youth are not interested in agriculture in India?
“Young people are usually not interested in this field of work, in large part due to their perception of farming being antiquated and unprofitable,” said Abukari. “The image of agriculture traditionally has been more about subsistence; you produce enough for you to eat. It is not seen as a business,” he said.
Why youth are not interested in agriculture in Philippines?
Young Filipinos are increasingly less interested in the agriculture industry, in part due to farmers being underpaid and underappreciated. The average age for Filipino farmers is between 57 and 59 years old, which raises concerns for who will carry out the important task of farming in the coming years.
What are some negative things about agriculture?
Agriculture is the leading source of pollution in many countries. Pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic farm chemicals can poison fresh water, marine ecosystems, air and soil. They also can remain in the environment for generations.
What are 3 disadvantages of agriculture?
Cons of AgricultureRisks of child labor. The increased demand for agricultural products calls for increased labor to realize huge profits. … Environmental pollution. … Health issues. … Agriculture leads to overgrazing. … Agriculture may disturb the family dynamics. … Spread of diseases. … Unpredictable weather. … Misuse of land.
What is the role of youth in agriculture?
The involvement of youth in agriculture is vital as they are more energetic, productive and receptive to new ideas and advanced technologies. Besides, they have the guts to take risks and go against the tide which is badly needed in the farm sector.
What are the common problems that rural youth facing?
2.2. 4 Challenges for rural Youths Economic Empowerment4.1 Challenge of credit and Poor Financial Management. … 4.2 Lack of knowledge, skill, and commitment of leaders, experts, and lack of awareness of youth. … 4.3 Limited access of training and technical support. … 4.4 Lack of monitoring and evaluation system.
How agriculture affects my life?
Agriculture creates both jobs and economic growth. Communities also hold agricultural-based events, such as crop and livestock judging competitions and 4-H exhibits at their county fair. Many communities benefit from having Famers Markets where smaller farmers can interact directly with consumers.
What are the positives and negatives of agriculture?
While negative impacts are serious, and can include pollution and degradation of soil, water, and air, agriculture can also positively impact the environment, for instance by trapping greenhouse gases within crops and soils, or mitigating flood risks through the adoption of certain farming practices.
What are bad agricultural practices?
Poor farming practices are shortcuts that destroy their environment to the point that the environment can no longer sustain normal, healthy growth. Examples include using excessive chemicals, over-tilling, and monocropping.
Why agriculture was a mistake?
The farmers gained cheap calories at the cost of poor nutrition…. Because of dependence on a limited number of crops, farmers ran the risk of starvation if one crop failed. Finally, the mere fact that agriculture encouraged people to clump together… led to the spread of parasites and infectious disease….
What are the disadvantages of agriculture in the environment?
Agriculture contributes to a number larger of environmental issues that cause environmental degradation including: climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, dead zones, genetic engineering, irrigation problems, pollutants, soil degradation, and waste.
What are the disadvantages of modern agriculture?
The disadvantages of using modern farming methods are:The use of chemical fertilizers spoils the soil quality.To pollute watercourses, the dissolved nitrate runs off the lands.modern farming methods require excessive water usage.it kills numerous important microorganisms that are required to improve the soli quality.
In This Article
In Africa, which boasts the globe’s youngest population, two-thirds of youth are unemployed or working in vulnerable, low-paying positions.
Why is it important to engage youth in agriculture?
The unemployment rate for youth is currently three times that of adults in all regions of the world, according to a 2021 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization. In Africa especially, which boasts the globe’s youngest population, two-thirds of youth are unemployed or working in vulnerable, low-paying positions, Ifedi said.
Why is agriculture not attractive to youth?
While agriculture can and does have a positive effect in many countries, it remains unattractive to young people. Farmers across the globe regularly confront issues such as climate change, pests and invasive species, outdated farming practices and limited access to technology, all of which hinder productivity and income generation.
How can technology help agriculture?
Heifer’s research also shows that young people can be encouraged to participate in agriculture with the right support and that, despite their skepticism, many do consider it an accessible livelihood important to a nation’s development.
What is the future for youth in agriculture?
Heifer’s mission to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth is built on helping smallholder farmers grow more food, earn a living income and contribute to their economies — and youth in agriculture are an essential part of this vision.
Why do people study agriculture?
They study agriculture because it is an easier alternative and for the sake of having a paper degree. Youths in farming, often complain that agriculture is not attractive enough in terms of compensation and conditions of service compared to what other professions like law, medicine, or banking offer.
What is African farming?
African agriculture or farming, is mostly of hoe and machete which makes it very energy and labour intensive. This is the most common example of farmers that almost every young person knows. From an early stage, every young person detests and tries to avoid this sort of life. As a child, if any of us did not want to go to school, …
Is farming a poor business?
From the onset, farming or a career in agriculture is frowned upon as a poor man’s business. In primary and secondary school, cultivation of food in the school garden has been used as a punishment for every offence committed at school by the children, which has made many young people hate Agriculture. For failing to get an exam pass mark, you would …
