Ghana faces a serious unemployment crisis with nearly 13.9% of young people without jobs and many others underemployed in low-paying work. To tackle this, the government has been encouraging youth to enter the agriculture sector through initiatives like the Youth in Agriculture policy and Planting for Food and Jobs program.
However a major concern remains Ghanaian farmers are aging with an average age of 55. The big question is: will the younger generation take up farming, especially as climate change brings extreme weather like droughts and floods?
A new study provides an unexpected answer. Despite concerns that climate change would discourage young people from farming, research involving 511 young Ghanaians found that most are actually interested in agriculture. An overwhelming 76.7% expressed willingness to engage in farming and agribusiness. Instead of being discouraged by climate risks, they were drawn to new farming innovations that help farms withstand extreme weather.
The Role of Perceptions and Technology
The study showed that young people’s perception of farming plays a crucial role in their decision. Those who saw climate change as a threat to crop yields and food security were less likely to choose agriculture. However, those aware of modern farming technologies, such as hydroponics and climate-smart irrigation, had a more positive outlook. They believed that these innovations could help them succeed despite climate challenges.
Surprisingly, experiencing extreme weather events like floods or droughts did not significantly discourage youth from farming. Many were willing to embrace agriculture if they had the right tools, training, and business support.
What Encourages Young People to Farm?
The study found that several factors influenced young people’s interest in agriculture:
- Urban Youth Interest: Nearly 69.3% of those interested in farming were from urban areas.
- Land Access: 64% had access to land, making it easier for them to consider farming.
- Agribusiness Training: Only 35.2% had received training, showing a need for more education on modern farming.
- Role Models: Young people with family or friends in farming were more likely to consider it a career.
- Male Participation: Young men were more likely than women to pursue agriculture, highlighting the need for better support for young women in farming.
How the Government Can Help
The findings suggest that agriculture needs to be marketed as a profitable and innovative career to attract young people. Some key steps policymakers can take include:
- Investing in Climate-Smart Agriculture: Faster adoption of advanced farming techniques will make agriculture more appealing.
- Framing Farming as a Business: Young people are interested in agribusiness, which combines farming with financial management, marketing, and networking.
- Creating Training Centers: Establishing well-equipped agricultural training centers near farming areas can provide hands-on learning opportunities.
- Supporting Young Women: Ensuring equal access to training, resources, and financial support will encourage more women to join the sector.
- Providing Credit Access: Financial support for young farmers will help them start and sustain their agribusinesses.
The study challenges the belief that climate change will drive young people away from farming. Instead, with the right support, training, and technology, Ghana’s youth could lead a new era of modern, resilient agriculture. By reshaping farming into an attractive and profitable profession, Ghana can secure its future food supply and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people.