Enhancing Youth Engagement in Agriculture for a Sustainable Future in Ethiopia: Challenges and Policy Solutions in Focus

To foster sustainable socioeconomic development, youth participation in the agricultural sector is instrumental. Due to this fact, a significant number of developing countries are investing substantial resources to enhance the sector by actively engaging their young populations. Employing a qualitative approach and a phenomenological study design, this study primarily aims to understand the challenges and prospects for youth in rural Ethiopia, specifically in the north-western Oromia region, to engage in agriculture. The study involved a total of 25 interviewees from different age groups who were engaged in the agricultural sector, as well as eight key informants who work as experts in agricultural offices. The results of this study confirmed that the youth in the study area were involved in agriculture due to their proximity and easy access to marketplaces, as well as the favourable environmental conditions. In relation to the challenges depicted in this study, young people in rural areas have faced various obstacles when initiating their farming operations, especially prior to gaining access to markets. These obstacles encompass difficulties in acquiring land, agricultural inputs, and banking services. Despite the existence of a considerable untapped reservoir of employment opportunities in the agro-food sector, the lack of attention from the government and inadequate agricultural rewards contribute to the youth's reluctance to remain engaged in the sector. Consequently, it is imperative for government officials and responsible personnel to prioritize the development of a sustainable future in the country.