Across sub-Saharan Africa, youth are often portrayed as abandoning agriculture in favor of urban migration, fueling concerns about declining agricultural production and food insecurity. However, recent research conducted in northern Ghana presents a more nuanced picture. Rather than permanently leaving rural areas and farming, many young people are engaging in complex, dynamic patterns of mobility that reflect a diverse set of aspirations and constraints.
This post draws on the research which explores the mobilities, farming aspirations, and engagements of young people in rural northern Ghana. It challenges the prevailing narratives about rural exodus and deagrarianization and highlights the varied ways in which young people relate to farming in the region.
The Dominant Narrative: Youth Leaving Agriculture
Global reports often highlight that young people are leaving agriculture at an alarming rate, seeing it as a physically demanding, low-status profession. Many youth are believed to prefer migrating to urban centers in search of better-paying, less labor-intensive jobs. Policymakers fear that this trend will undermine food security and rural economies, as young people’s labor is critical to agricultural productivity.
In response, numerous development initiatives promote “agripreneurship”—encouraging youth to engage in agriculture through entrepreneurship. These programs aim to modernize and commercialize farming to make it more attractive to the younger generation. However, Vercillo and Frayne’s research questions whether these efforts align with the actual aspirations and lived experiences of young people in places like northern Ghana.
Challenging the Narrative: Diverse Mobilities and Aspirations
The research conducted in rural northern Ghana uncovers a more complex reality. Far from representing a mass exodus, the movements of young people between rural and urban areas often involve temporary migration, circular mobility, and the blending of farm and non-farm livelihoods. Young people’s decisions about farming and migration are influenced by a range of factors, including social norms, family expectations, environmental challenges, and economic opportunities.
For many rural young people, the decision to migrate to urban areas is not necessarily a rejection of agriculture. Instead, it reflects the pressures they face to achieve higher social and economic status, often driven by family expectations. In northern Ghana, young people are often seen as dependents on their families’ farms, where the male household head makes the key decisions. As one young woman explained, farming is viewed as the responsibility of older men, while youth are expected to help but not necessarily take over the family farm.
This social dynamic affects young people’s aspirations. Many rural youth dream of migrating to urban areas, where they believe they can earn higher incomes and achieve greater independence. As one young participant described, families often pressure young people to pursue non-farm careers in cities, viewing farming as a low-status occupation reserved for those with no other options.
Urban-Rural Divides in Farming Engagement
The study highlights significant differences between young people raised in rural areas and those from urban centers. Rural youth, who grow up working on their families’ smallholder farms, often perceive farming as a risky and unprofitable endeavor. They are acutely aware of the environmental challenges—such as irregular rainfall, heat stress, and soil degradation—that make farming increasingly difficult in the region. For many, the prospect of migrating to urban areas seems like a more secure path to financial stability.
In contrast, urban youth who return to rural areas to farm tend to have more resources and better access to opportunities. They are often able to secure land through social networks, participate in government and NGO-supported agricultural programs, and access start-up capital. This allows them to engage in larger-scale, more profitable farming ventures. As a result, urban youth are more likely to see farming as a viable career option.
The disparities between rural and urban youth are further exacerbated by the availability of information and mentorship. Urban youth are often better informed about commercial farming practices and have access to support networks that help them navigate the challenges of agriculture. In contrast, rural youth, who are more familiar with subsistence farming, lack these resources and are less likely to participate in commercial farming initiatives.
Gender and Farming: Barriers for Young Women
The research also sheds light on the gendered dynamics of farming in northern Ghana. Young women face even greater barriers to participating in agriculture than their male counterparts. In patrilineal societies, land inheritance is typically passed down through male family members, leaving women with limited access to land. As a result, women often farm on smaller, less fertile plots, making it difficult for them to achieve the same level of productivity as men.
Additionally, traditional gender roles and expectations place a heavy burden on women, who are responsible for household chores and childcare in addition to farming. This limits their ability to engage in large-scale farming or participate in agricultural development programs. Some young women are discouraged from farming altogether, as success in agriculture is often seen as a challenge to male authority within the household.
Age-Related Discrimination and Nepotism
Another key finding of the study is the experience of age-related discrimination and nepotism in agricultural development programs. Many young people feel that their farming ambitions are not taken seriously by government officials, NGOs, or even their own families. This lack of recognition makes it difficult for them to access the resources and support they need to succeed in farming.
In some cases, young people face opposition from older family members who are skeptical of their farming methods. One participant described how his father resisted his efforts to implement a more sustainable rice farming technique, only to later acknowledge its success. Such experiences highlight the generational tensions that can hinder young people’s participation in agriculture.
Moreover, government and donor-supported farming programs often prioritize older, well-connected individuals, leaving younger farmers at a disadvantage. This exclusion is particularly frustrating for rural youth, who are already struggling with limited access to land and capital. Urban youth, on the other hand, are more likely to benefit from these programs due to their social networks and proximity to sources of information and support.
Conclusion: A More Nuanced Approach to Youth and Agriculture
The findings from northern Ghana suggest that the dominant narrative of youth abandoning agriculture is overly simplistic. While many young people are indeed migrating to urban areas, their decisions are shaped by a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental factors. Rather than rejecting farming outright, many young people aspire to combine farm and non-farm livelihoods, navigating the opportunities and constraints of both rural and urban environments.
To better support young people in agriculture, policymakers and development practitioners need to adopt a more nuanced approach that recognizes the diversity of young people’s experiences and aspirations. This includes addressing the specific barriers faced by rural youth, women, and those without access to social networks or capital. It also means rethinking the focus on agripreneurship and commercial farming, which may not align with the realities of young people’s lives in rural areas.
By listening to young people and understanding the full spectrum of their mobilities and engagements with farming, we can develop more effective strategies for promoting agricultural development and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.
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