Comparative analysis of employment trend in African agriculture relative to other regions: a gender perspective

Abstract

PurposeLucrative employment in agriculture is fundamental to poverty alleviation in Africa. The paper examined employment along gender, impact of materials and proportion of female employment in African agriculture.Design/methodology/approachTime series econometrics was employed in the framework of production function analysis involving 36 years of data.FindingsResults show that world labour in agriculture decreased from 49.77 to 40.04% but increased from 12.43 to 16.94% in Africa. World female employment in agriculture ranged from 40.56 to 42.81% and from 40.40 to 43.02% in developing economies, but decreased from 40.39 to 36.08% in developed economies. Total agricultural labour in Africa was negatively and significantly related to agricultural gross production index number (APIN).Research limitations/implicationsInteraction of cattle stock and females employed in agriculture was positive and significant at pooled African values. Interaction of irrigation facilities and female labour was positive and significant in West Africa. Interaction of cattle stock and total labour in Southern Africa had negative relationship with APIN. Interaction of total labour and irrigation had negative relationship with APIN in Africa. Insufficient agricultural facilities in terms of cattle stock and irrigation infrastructure for the populace exist. It recommends increased investments to expand irrigated lands and livestock.Practical implicationsAfrican governments need to use good political will to effect the needed transformation in agriculture. It is possible for agriculture to offer lucrative employment to both males and females in less developed world as in developed economies.Originality/valueThe paper noted very limited agricultural facilities in terms of cattle stock and irrigation facilities for the populace engaged in agriculture. It recommends investments to expand irrigated lands and livestock.

Motivational factors into agriculture as a career path: narratives of Black emerging farmers as entrepreneurs in South Africa

“…Related to this, the role of socio-economic conditions appears prevalent in informing not only career choice but also entrepreneurial pursuit (Chinyamurindi, 2020;Hartt, 2018) Ultimately, through South Africa's efforts to encourage new entrants into agriculture, the motivational factors identified in the study appear to encourage a smooth entry into agriculture. The identified motivational factors also appear to link macro-economic stipulations of agriculture's vital role in social and economic development (Mkpado and Mkapado, 2020). An issue to note from the participant stories is how the motivation to agriculture as a career and entrepreneurial pursuit stem from the socio-cultural milieu (Abdoul and Djoulassi, 2019).…”

“…Some gaps can be identified in the literature. First, especially on the African continents, attention is being given to agriculture as means of sustenance (Mkpado and Mkapado, 2020). This is actuated by the presence of challenges within the wider economy such as poverty and unemployment (Abdoul and Djoulassi, 2019).…”

“…Others frame environmental issues as calling for more actors within the agricultural landscape to address challenges such as food security (Adeleye et al, 2020) and issues such as climate change (Pyka, 2017). In essence, for the sustainable transformation of society, there needs to be a close focus not only on the aspects of food production and agricultural systems that develop these (Schlaile et al, 2017) but also on those behind all these activities (Mkpado and Mkapado, 2020). Focus is needed on the role of the farmer to include their motivations and decision-making process.…”

Rural Women Participation in Nutrition and Agri-Entrepreneurial Development: Empirical Evidence from Yobe State, Nigeria

“…GMR of 67% implies that for every one Naira invested in agribusiness ventures 67 Kobo covered profits, interests, taxes, and depreciation. This shows that agri-enterpreneurship is a lucrative enterprise in the study area.It was observed that active female participation in agribusinesses across African countries was generally profitable (Alabi et al, 2019;Mkpado and Mkpado, 2020). The BCR and ROI imply that agri-enterpreneurship business outlook is worthwhile and profitable.…”

Gender differences in climate-smart adaptation practices amongst bean-producing farmers in Malawi: The case of Linthipe Extension Planning Area

“…In 2018, agriculture accounted for 4% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), rising significantly to about 25% of the GDP in the least developing countries (World Bank, 2022). In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), agriculture employs more than half of the workforce and therefore plays a critical role in poverty alleviation (OECD, 2016;Mkpado and Mkpado, 2020). However, SSA's agriculture is significantly affected by climate change resulting in prolonged dry spells, drought, heat waves, rising temperatures, cyclones, flooding, irregular rainfall patterns, and increased cases of pests and diseases, all of which affect the overall agriculture production in the region.…”