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Young People, Agriculture, and Employment in Rural Africa

Author

Listed:
  • James Sumberg
  • Nana Akua Anyidoho
  • Michael Chasukwa
  • Blessings Chinsinga
  • Jennifer Leavy
  • Getnet Tadele
  • Stephen Whitfield
  • Joseph Yaro

Abstract

This paper examines the current interest in addressing the problem of young people's unemployment in Africa through agriculture. Using notions of transitions and mobilities we set out a transformative work and opportunity space framework that privileges difference and diversity among work opportunities, rural areas and young people.

Suggested Citation

  • James Sumberg & Nana Akua Anyidoho & Michael Chasukwa & Blessings Chinsinga & Jennifer Leavy & Getnet Tadele & Stephen Whitfield & Joseph Yaro, 2014. "Young People, Agriculture, and Employment in Rural Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-080, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
  • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2014-080
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2014-080.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Osei, Lydia & Yeboah, Thomas & Kumi, Emmanuel & Antoh, Ernestina Fredua, 2021. "Government's ban on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, youth livelihoods and imagined futures in Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    3. Mastewal Yami & Shiferaw Feleke & Tahirou Abdoulaye & Arega D. Alene & Zoumana Bamba & Victor Manyong, 2019. "African Rural Youth Engagement in Agribusiness: Achievements, Limitations, and Lessons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Amuakwa-Mensah, Salome & Surry, Yves, 2022. "Association between rural electrification and agricultural output: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    5. Francis Fortune & Olawale Ismail & Monica Stephen, 2015. "Rethinking Youth, Livelihoods, and Fragility in West Africa," World Bank Publications - Reports 22517, The World Bank Group.
    6. Frederick Amon-Armah & Nana Akua Anyidoho & Isaac Alvin Amoah & Sander Muilerman, 2023. "A Typology of Young Cocoa Farmers: Attitudes, Motivations and Aspirations," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(4), pages 770-793, August.
    7. Kerilyn Schewel & Sonja Fransen, 2018. "Formal Education and Migration Aspirations in Ethiopia," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 44(3), pages 555-587, September.
    8. Blessings Chinsinga & Michael Chasukwa, 2018. "Agricultural Policy, Employment Opportunities and Social Mobility in Rural Malawi," Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, Centre for Agrarian Research and Education for South, vol. 7(1), pages 28-50, April.

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