This report presents the results of a desk-based study to assess the available research evidence in relation to African young people’s engagement with agriculture, and to analyse how this evidence is reflected in current European Union (EU) policy and programming in Malawi, Ethiopia and Kenya, three of the 89 countries in which Alliance2015 members work. With the aim of stimulating constructive dialogue and debate with the EU and member states in Europe and in countries in Africa, the study sought to address the following questions:
●● Are rural young people in Africa turning their backs on agriculture?
●● What does the research evidence say about young people’s attitudes toward and engagement with agriculture?
●● How is this evidence reflected in Europe’s current policies and programming in the selected A2015 countries?
●● What alternative approaches to policy and programming are suggested by the evidence?
The work was structured around a framework that identified four chains of explanation, each of which addressed the question: Why are rural young people in Africa turning away from agriculture? Broadly, these chains focus on structural issues within the agricultural sector/agrarian economy (Chains 1 and 1a); on the
interplay between increasing education and rising aspirations (Chain 2); and on a lack of awareness of the opportunities offered by agriculture (Chain 3). While Chains 2 and 3 are specific to young people, Chains 1 and 1a are not – for example, the effects of poor rural institutions and low farm productivity act on people of all ages.