Youth employment in agriculture and livelihood outcomes in Tanzania: a case of vegetable farmers in Dodoma city Anna Enock

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Date

2020

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Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

This paper examines the contribution of vegetable farming to livelihood outcomes among the youths in Ihumwa and Mtumba wards in Dodoma City. The paper employed a crosssectional research designs whereby a mixed methods research approach was adopted. The approach involves combining or integration of qualitative and quantitative research and data (Cresswell, 2014). Quantitative data were obtained by administering interview schedules to the youth vegetable farmers while qualitative data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were collected using interview guides. A livelihood outcome index was developed to measure the livelihood outcome levels of the youth involved in vegetable farming. The index sought to measure whether engagement in vegetable production improved human capital, social capital, assets, household food security and a household’s income. Each livelihood outcome indicator was measured by three sub-indicators which were measured in a 3 point Likert scale (low, medium and high livelihood outcomes) and coded as 1, 2 and 3. Ordinal logistic regression model (OLRM) was employed to determine the chances of the youths’ livelihood outcome levels being high due to vegetable farming. This paper concludes that a greater proportion (58.4%) of the youth was categorized into the high livelihood outcomes. This means vegetable farming contributes highly to the livelihood outcomes of the youth. With regard to the factors contributing to this, the results from OLRM revealed that land size, access to credit, vegetable variety and education were the most significant (p≤ 0.05) predictors of the livelihood outcomes. Thus, it is recommended that the government in collaborations with other development partners and the youth address these factors when designing intervention for improving the livelihoods of youth engaged in vegetable farming.

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Keywords

Youth employment, Agriculture, Tanzania, Vegetable farmers, Dodoma, Livelihood outcomes

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