Assessment of the Influence of Agribusiness Incentives on Youth Employment in Ghana. A Case Study of Atwima Kwanwoma District.

Abstract

The future of the agricultural business is in doubt due to the poor engagement of young people in agricultural production. In many emerging nations, the agricultural industry is underperforming. This is due to the fact that young people, who nearly everywhere play important roles as farmers, laborers, and entrepreneurs, represent a critical resource for agriculture and the rural economy. This study sought to assess the influence of agribusiness incentives on youth employment in Ghana, a case study of Atwima Kwanwoma District. The descriptive research approach which is a quantitative research design was adopted for this study. The non-probability sampling technique was applied in this study. The youths that were unemployed and those that are currently or previously engaged in agriculture were the targets. The study indicated that there is a strong and positive relationship between economic and non – economic incentives towards youth employment into agribusiness. The study has revealed that, the government and other financial institutions have not made it easy obtaining financial assistance for agribusiness. Meanwhile there is no assistance from friends and family that can be relied on for financial assistance for agribusiness purposes. However, most people especially the youth are really ready to learn and undergo every training that is needed for them to enter into agribusiness in a large scale that will help benefit them and the country as a whole. It was recommended that since people do not have financial aid and supervision for agribusiness, there is the need for the government to make available financial, skill and technological assistance that will encourage the youth to enter into agribusiness.