By Patricia Kapulula

Lilongwe, August 5, MANA: A study conducted by Mwapata Institute has shown a decline in the population of youths involved in agriculture for the past two decades from 83 percent in 2010 to 76 percent in 2020.

National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) partnered Mwapata Institute to conduct a study on Prospects and Barriers to Youth Engagement in Agriculture and Food Systems in Malawi.

The study looked at prospects and opportunities for youth engagement in agriculture and agri-food systems and barriers which constrain them from engaging in agriculture.

Speaking in Lilongwe on Monday at a press briefing to release results of the study, Mwapata Institute Executive Director, William Chadza, said levels of technology applied in agriculture, access to finances and structured markets are some of the challenges youths face in agriculture, hence the decline.

He said access to markets would give youth better returns from their engagements and investments in agriculture.

“We have also noted that although there is a relatively conducive policy environment but there are challenges in implementation especially on specific strategies which would guide what to be done to support youth engagement in agriculture,” he said.

NYCOM Executive Director, Rex Chapota, expressed concern over the decline saying youth are not attracted to agriculture because they feel it is not as profitable as they would want it to be.

He said the results are giving them an impetus to start engaging with all stakeholders in a rigorous manner to ensure that youths are involved in agriculture.

“The study will also help us to inform our programs. Currently, we are finalizing our strategic plan and the findings will find space in our plan so that we can bring back youth in agriculture.

“The kind of agriculture that youth are talking about is not traditional agriculture, they want commercialized, knowledge based and digitalized agriculture. This is a study that would inform our next steps,” said Chapota.

Despite the decline, Mwapata Research Fellow, Dr. Maggie Munthali, said there is an increase in use of modern technologies, hybrid seed, organic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides among the youth in agriculture.

The study has also shown that youth are not doing agriculture for business as most of them are traditionally involved in subsistence farming of low crop value chains such as maize, with 90 percent, and vegetables at 52 percent.