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From Training to Self-Employment: Evidence from Youth Agricultural Programmes in Cameroon and Madagascar

Author

Listed:
  • Zucchini, Emanuele

    (Food and Agriculture Organisation)

  • Sadania, Clémentine

    (rowsquared)

  • Steiner, Susan

    (rowsquared)

  • Rossi, Alessandro

    (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

  • Mabiso, Athur

    (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

  • Toguem, Robinson

    (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

  • Mastroeni, Andrea

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract

Youth employment remains a critical issue in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study examines the impact of two large-scale governmental programmes in Cameroon and Madagascar that aim to promote self-employment in agriculture. Youth participated in vocational training and received technical support, inputs and mentoring to engage in crop, livestock or non-farming agricultural activities. We employ a quasi-experimental design to estimate the impact on the income of youth-led activities, and we address the limitations associated with such designs by carefully constructing a counterfactual. Our findings indicate that these integrated training and livelihoods programmes significantly enhance income from the targeted activities. We highlight the importance of providing regular support for participants during and after programme implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zucchini, Emanuele & Sadania, Clémentine & Steiner, Susan & Rossi, Alessandro & Mabiso, Athur & Toguem, Robinson & Mastroeni, Andrea, 2026. "From Training to Self-Employment: Evidence from Youth Agricultural Programmes in Cameroon and Madagascar," IZA Discussion Papers 18713, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18713
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • J43 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Agricultural Labor Markets
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets

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