Analysing urban and peri-urban youth employment in agribusiness in Malawi
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLOS ONE
Abstract
The study aims to analyse key determinants of urban and peri-urban youth employment in
agribusiness in Malawi to support youth policies. A mixed-methods approach is used, which
combines both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The quantitative method involved a
Bivariate Logit Model and Multinomial Logit Model to analyse nationally representative sur-
vey data from the Fourth Integrated Household Survey in 2016–2017. The qualitative
method employed thematic analysis to data generated through Focus Group Discussions
and Key Informant Interviews for key stakeholders involved in agri-business in Lilongwe dis-
trict. The qualitative analysis, which focuses on a case study for urban and peri-urban youth
in agribusiness, was used to validate, and provide context for the quantitative analysis. The
results revealed that a majority of the urban and peri-urban youth engaged in agribusiness
across Malawi work in sole farming (family farms or ganyu); in addition, women outnumber
men in terms of engagement in agribusiness, and this stems from tradition. In addition, the
determinants that affect youth’s engagement in agribusiness consist of demographic fac-
tors, institutional support, assets, and shocks. It was also shown that men were more likely
than women to be engaged in sole farming, but they were as likely as women to be engaged
in other forms of agribusiness. The policy recommendation from this study is that programs
aimed at supporting youth engagement in agribusiness should consider a variety of factors;
If resources are limited, the programs should ensure that they offer capacity strengthening
for the youth in the form of extension services and practical training in agribusiness.
Description
Research article
Keywords
Agribusiness
Citation
https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290877