Understanding Farming Career Decision Influencers: Experiences of Some Youth in Rural Manya Krobo, Ghana

Abstract

This study was conducted to look at factors that may influence young people in rural communities to choose farming as a career. This paper is based on the experiences of some selected young farmers in the Manya Krobo traditional areas of Ghana. Employing one of the occupational career choice frameworks as a tool for exploring factors that condition occupational career choices, this paper uses narrative of a cross-section of young people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to show that a complex network of factors motivate rural young people to develop long term occupational careers in farming. This interest often starts from their childhood. It reveals that the reality of being born and bred in a rural community, willingness to identify with community goals, personal aspirations and goals, the belief in personal capabilities, desire to be a recognized local/national farmer and the opportunity to inherit land are some critical factors that influence the youth to embark on farming as a career. In view of this it is suggested that the aspirations of young people in rural farming, social relations with mentors as well as access to agrarian resources, should be considered a priority element of research and development aimed at directing policy on youth and agriculture. It is suggested that future studies should assess the impact of childhood experiences on stimulating the career interests of youth in farming.