Young People in African (Agricultural) Policy Processes? What National Youth Policies Can Tell Us

Abstract

The ‘youth in agriculture problem’ makes up part of a growing set of ‘youth in development’ issues occupying the minds of aid practitioners and bilateral and multilateral donors. Aid agendas seek to enhance youth participation in policy processes and mainstream youth‐related goals on health, education, employment and governance into development policies. Yet, these agendas routinely ignore national youth policies (NYPs), which in many African countries have been in place for well over a decade. This article demonstrates how NYPs in Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia express distinct policy visions, identifications and imaginations of the youth ‘problematique’, and particular philosophies of intervention. It argues that while their substantive content may well be subject to dialogue and reform, NYPs also express conceptualisations of the policy process and roles for knowledge, evidence and collective action that sit uneasily with new donor agendas, and are less amenable to change.

Young people and land in Zimbabwe: livelihood challenges after land reform

“…In African policy circles various narratives focusing on youth and agriculture compete for attention te Lintelo 2012). International and regional policy commentary 3 reflects local media and policy discussion 4 , offering both positive and negative narratives about the role of youth.…”

Young people, agriculture, and employment in rural Africa

“…If their agency is acknowledged, it is often associated with anti-social or politically disruptive behaviour. Labelled as 'the youth', it should perhaps not be surprising that policy most often frames young people simplistically and instrumentally -as a homogeneous group whose primary role is to build the economy and the nation (Anyidoho et al 2012a;te Lintelo 2012). However, it should go without saying that rural young people are socially and spatially embedded, and differences in gender, age, religion, ethnicity, education and family position, and the strength and breadth of social networks, social norms -and personality -all bear on their ambitions and aspirations, and their engagement with the world of work.…”

Untitled

“…As such, governments and development partners have developed and advocated for national youth policies, programmes and budgetary allocations aimed at supporting self-employment and enterprise development by young people (Anyidoho et al 2012;GoK 2008;Muiya 2014). In sub-Saharan Africa, successive governments and agencies have encouraged youth engagement in agricultural-related initiatives as a means to counter youth under-and unemployment (Anyidoho et al 2012;te Lintelo 2012;Ping 2011). Other policies and programmes promote youth engagement with new technologies, vocational training and entrepreneurship (GoK 2007;te Lintelo 2012).…”