The policy puzzles of young people and farming in Ghana: a case study of techiman municipality in the Brong Ahafo region

The study examined the available agricultural programmes that target the youths, the factors that hinder the youths from engaging in farming through these programmes and how they can be motivated for a better orientation. The study draws on interview material with 17 participants comprising old farmers, Municipal Officials of the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and youths. Some of these participants were into farming while others were not. To achieve the objective of the research, qualitative approach was chosen where semi-structured interviews were conducted. First of all, the study revealed that that the Block Farm programmes have failed to target the youths as stipulated in the conceptualised in the policy. The other programmes i.e. Youth in Cocoa farming and Greenhouse farming were able to attract a number of the youths but the efforts seemed inadequate. Most importantly, the study established that, the programmes were generally doing very little to attract the youths into farming and instead only provided packages that included agro-inputs. Thus, on the ground the programmes are better referred to as handouts. Secondly, it was discovered that lack of access to land, the negative perceptions about agriculture, and lack of training are some of the factors that constraint the youths’ involvement in farming. However, most participants indicated their readiness and motivation to venture into agriculture in view of the provision of farm inputs and other resources to farmers. The study culminated with a conclusion that the programmes never targeted the youths as required.