Of bulls and bulbs: aspirations, opinions and perceptions of rural adolescents and youth in Zambia. Issue 7 (3rd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daum, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 29:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 882
• Page End: 897
• Publication Date: 2019-10-03
• Subjects: Aid – Development policies -- Environment (built and natural) – Agriculture -- Gender and diversity – Youth -- Governance and public policy -- Labour and livelihoods – Migration -- Methods -- Sub-Saharan Africa; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2019.1646209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In Africa, policymakers and development practitioners focus heavily on making farming more attractive for the youth. To reach this goal, different actions are proposed, often emphasising the need for modern technology. These proposed actions are mostly based on anecdotes and prior policy beliefs. Using interviews and drawing exercises, this article shows that the aspirations, opinions and perceptions of adolescents (pre-youth) and youth are more diverse than assumed by the prevailing orthodoxies. The findings suggest that policymakers and development practitioners should pay more attention to their views, comprising environmental and social concerns, to avoid misguided policies.