A recent study conducted by MwAPATA Institute, in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCM), has established that there is a decline in youth participation in agriculture and agri-food systems, posing a potential threat to Malawi’s economy.
The report, titled Prospects and Barriers to Youth Engagement in Agriculture and Food Systems in Malawi, was presented on Monday in Lilongwe.
William Chadza, Executive Director of MwAPATA Institute, emphasized the youthful demographic of Malawi, noting that 80 percent of the population is under 35, but youth involvement in agriculture is dwindling.
“We found a significant decline in the population of young people involved in agriculture, and also the levels of technology they are applying,” Chadza stated.
He identified several impediments to youth engagement in agriculture, including limited access to finance, insufficient technological application, and inadequate market access.
“Although we have a relatively conducive policy environment, there are challenges when it comes to implementation, especially specific strategies to support youth engagement in agriculture,” Chadza added.
Despite these challenges, the study has identified numerous opportunities to incentivize youth participation in agriculture and food systems in the country.
“We suggest creating a special window to provide financing to the youth so they can engage in agriculture, and also supporting them with financial literacy to manage finances effectively,” Chadza elaborated.
The study also highlights the importance of digitization and modernization in agriculture. By introducing and promoting modern agricultural technologies, the sector can become more attractive to the younger generation, encouraging their active participation.
Rex Chapota, Executive Director of the NYCM, expressed gratitude to MwAPATA Institute for leading the groundbreaking research which he said will inform NYCM’s programming.
Chapota emphasized that young people are looking for commercialized, knowledge-based agriculture powered by digitization.
“This study will help us also to inform our programs. Currently, we are finalizing our strategic plan as a National Youth Council of Malawi. The findings will already find their space in our plan so that we can bring back young people to agriculture.
“And the kind of agriculture that young people are talking about is not just traditional agriculture. They want commercialized agriculture. They want agriculture that is knowledge-based, agriculture that is being powered by digitization,” said Chapota.
On addressing the historical perception that young people in Malawi cannot undertake significant initiatives, Chapota highlighted the centrality of youth in the nation’s future.
Chapota called for serious consideration of youth issues and confirmed that providing opportunities, financing, and the right knowledge and skills to young people could transform Malawi’s agricultural space.
“Actually, young people in Malawi are now the central theme of this nation. The Malawi 2063 talks about the centrality of young people as change agents, as the critical wealth that we possess as a nation. Therefore, I want us as a nation to know that young people are the movers and the shakers of change in this nation,” he said.
The research aimed to explore both the opportunities and the challenges facing the youth in this sector and was commissioned by MwAPATA Institute in collaboration with NYCM.
You can download the full report below
