Resilience of Ghana’s Young Farmers Despite Climate Change Challenges
A new study reveals a strong resilience among young farmers in Ghana, who remain engaged in agriculture despite climate change challenges. With a significant youth unemployment rate, farming is viewed as a viable opportunity. The research found that technological innovations and positive climate perceptions are encouraging factors. Recommendations include reframing farming as a modern career and creating training centers for youth.
A recent study conducted in Ghana highlights the remarkable resilience among young individuals towards farming despite the challenges posed by climate change. With a youth unemployment rate of 13.9% and over 50% underemployment, the agricultural sector presents significant employment prospects as the average age of farmers continues to increase, reaching 55 years.
Research involving 511 young Ghanaians revealed that adverse weather conditions such as floods, droughts, and heat do not significantly discourage participation in agriculture. Instead, positive perspectives on climate change and the adoption of innovative technologies have been shown to enhance interest in farming, with 76.7% of respondents expressing a favorable inclination towards this profession.
Additionally, the influence of urban youth and the accessibility of land play crucial roles in fostering engagement in agriculture. The findings of the study recommend a rebranding of farming as a technology-driven career while advocating for the establishment of training centers to attract a greater number of young farmers into the sector.
The study underscores the resilience of Ghana’s youth in agriculture amidst climate change, highlighting the importance of innovation and access to land. It emphasizes the need to reposition farming as a modern and tech-savvy career option, alongside the creation of training initiatives that appeal to young individuals, thereby addressing youth unemployment and underemployment in the region.
Original Source: iafrica.com
