Unlocking youth potential in farming activities: Addressing barriers to farmland access to youths in Arumeru district, Tanzania

This research paper presents findings about the barriers hindering young men and women from accessing farmland for farming activities. The study was conducted in Arumeru district within Arusha region in Tanzania. The overall objective of the study was to address barriers hindering young men and women particularly those who started to live a self dependent life in Arumeru district from accessing farmlands for farming activities. Specifically the study intends to investigate the typical modes of transfer of farmland and property between generations, the division of farmland resources among sons and daughters, the existing land tenure systems available in the area and their influence to the accessibility of farmlands between different groups within Meru society, the way in which family social economic status influence access to farmland to the young men and women within the study area and the spartial distribution of land ownership in Arumeru district. The study adopts a critical agrarian studies theory and employ a qualitative approach research design. A semi structured interview was used to collect data from a sample of 12 respondents comprised of the group of young men and women and the key informants while data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that cultural and gender differentiation, population growth and land ownership pattern are the core factors limiting the accessibility of farmlands to the young men and women within the study area. This study recommends redistribution of land within the district to allow the marginalized groups particularly young men and women to access farmland and explore the potential available of investing in farming activities.