Young people and agriculture in Africa

Despite increased commitment to evidence-based policy in African agriculture, the profile of certain ‘problems’, and the imperative to address them quickly through policy and programmes, becomes separated from evidence and understanding. When this happens, policy advocates, policymakers and development planners rely heavily on ‘common knowledge’, anecdote and narrative to develop and argue policy alternatives.

This is unlikely to result in good policy and development outcomes, particularly when the problems being addressed are associated with complexities such as poverty, livelihoods, agrarian transitions, social justice or sustainability. It is important to ask how common policy responses articulate with ongoing economic, social and political transitions, and with young people’s own imperatives, aspirations, strategies and activities.

ISBN: 0265-5012
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Edition: Vol 43 Number 6
Year of Publication: 2012