Do youth conceptualizations influence the inclusion of young people in sustainable agriculture intensification? Insights from Ghana and Malawi

We examine local conceptualizations and definitions of the youth and how they influence youth inclusion in sustainable agriculture intensification (SAI) in Ghana and Malawi amidst challenges of high youth unemployment and underemployment, food insecurity, and rural out-migration. We use data from fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environment, development and sustainability development and sustainability, 2023-12, Vol.25 (12), p.13909-13935
Main Authors: Zulu, Leo C., Djenontin, Ida N. S., Kamoto, Judith F., Kampanje-Phiri, Jessica M., Fischer, Gundula
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Agricultural production
Agriculture
Climate change
Developing countries
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Economic Geology
Economic Growth
Environment
Environmental Economics
Environmental Management
Food security
Gender
Human capital
Insecurity
Intensive farming
LDCs
Natural resources
Reductionism
Rural areas
Sustainability
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable Development
Underemployment
Unemployment
Young adults
Youth
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Summary:We examine local conceptualizations and definitions of the youth and how they influence youth inclusion in sustainable agriculture intensification (SAI) in Ghana and Malawi amidst challenges of high youth unemployment and underemployment, food insecurity, and rural out-migration. We use data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Definitions of youth(hood) varied among communities and agricultural officials based on age mediated by multiple socio-cultural, demographic, biological, economic, and relational factors. Conceptual mismatches between national formal and local definitions, and negative perceptions of youths undermined youth inclusion. Unpacking and harmonizing conceptualizations of youths as human capital and youth as transitional condition with local definitions that also foster positive youth identities and cultures, and treating dependent and independent youth separately, can reveal meaningful, youth-inclusive intervention points. It can enhance youth opportunity spaces and agency for their increased engagement in SAI, and help to avoid misguided policies arising from conceptual reductionism of youth.
ISSN:1387-585X
1573-2975
DOI:10.1007/s10668-022-02632-9