Youth Engagement in Agriculture in Uganda: Challenges and Prospects

Amidst rising youth unemployment in Uganda, evidence reveals that youth engagement in agriculture is declining. It is likely that this will have implications for food security and employment, and could undermine government efforts to drive economic growth through agriculture. Using data from the Uganda National Panel Surveys of 2005/06 and 2009/10, this paper examines youth dynamics across different sectors and provides insights into the determinants of youth participation in agriculture. Using the Uganda Census of Agriculture 2008/09, the paper also documents the challenges and constraints inherent to youth in agricultural production relative to adults. Findings reveal that a relatively lower percentage of youth use improved inputs (such as improved seeds, fertilisers, agricultural chemicals and veterinary drugs), thus limiting their productivity and constraining them to subsistence farming. In addition, youth are often disenfranchised in the ownership and management of critical assets in agricultural production, especially land. Youth are also less likely to access credit, extension services and social capital (farmer group memberships), all key factors to agricultural transformation. The in-depth analysis results suggest that youth with at least secondary levels of education, males (both married and unmarried) and youth residing in households with a large share of adults are less likely to engage in agriculture.