Water Wheel Jan/Feb 2022: Youth And Agriculture

Abstract

Understanding the challenges first: the rural youth and rainfed smallholder farming Recent statistics from Statistics South Africa (2020) show that youth constitute over one third of the South African population. Unemployment among youth (15-34 years) is as high as 40 – 50%. Among the sampled rural households, 51.5% are not employed but actively seeking employment. Only about 10% are self-employed. Experience requirement excludes most of the youth who have never been employed. Poverty levels are also higher for the rural youth. They are still the biggest beneficiaries (directly or indirectly) of social grants and remittances.

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