Perceptions of Swaziland’s youth towards farming: a case of manzini region

Abstract

Young people are very important resource required for the development of every nation especially for sustainability in agricultural production However with low participation of youth in agricultural production the future of the industry is questionable Youths are distancing themselves away from farming in the face of government making efforts to attract them into the sector creating employment while producing food for ever growing populations The study was aimed at estimating the perception of youth towards farming establishing the socio economic characteristics that influence their perception towards farming as well as identifying challenges faced by youth in farming Primary data was collected from Kwaluseni Ntontozi and LamGabhi Tinkundla within Manzini Region using questionnaires and interviews A sample size of was selected using multistage sampling technique A likerted scale was used to establish youths rsquo positivity towards farming Data was analyzed using SPSS and the multiple linear regression models were used to establish factors that influence perception of youth towards agriculture Results of the study indicated that most respondents were single with an average age of years and do not own or have access to land for personal income generating projects The majority do not have experience in farming and they are mainly getting their income from off farm activities The findings further revealed that socio economic characteristics including gender years of experience in farming land ownership occupation of guardian and the source of income are factors that significantly influence youth perceptions towards farming The average scores indicated that youth had a negative perception towards farming with less interest caused by lack of knowledge and perceived low attractiveness of the industry Therefore the government and other stakeholders should encourage extensive use of modern technologies provide infrastructure attractive to youth participation in agriculture assist in arranging lucrative markets for agro products produced by the youth draft agribusiness programs in schools and catalyse land policy reforms that are pro youth to ease access to agricultural land