Youth Engagement and Employment in the African Agricultural Sector

2025-12-31T16:40:00+07:00

Youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing development challenges in Africa, occurring alongside the continued centrality of agriculture as a major source of livelihoods and economic activity. Despite the sector’s potential to absorb a growing youth labor force, youth engagement in agriculture remains limited, unstable, and often characterized by precarious working conditions. This study presents a literature review that synthesizes existing scholarly and policy-oriented research on youth engagement and employment in the African agricultural sector. Drawing on peer-reviewed articles, books, and institutional reports, the review examines how youth participation in agriculture has been conceptualized, the quality of employment opportunities available, and the key factors shaping youth engagement across diverse African contexts. The findings indicate that while agriculture continues to function as a significant employer of youth, it is predominantly marked by informality, low productivity, income insecurity, and limited social protection. Negative perceptions of agriculture, aspirational mismatches, and persistent structural barriers particularly limited access to land, finance, education, and markets emerge as central constraints on sustained youth participation. The review also highlights significant gaps between education and labor market needs, which undermine youth employability and the sector’s capacity for innovation. Overall, the literature reveals a fundamental contradiction between agriculture’s employment potential and the poor quality of jobs it currently offers to young people. By synthesizing key themes and identifying persistent gaps, this study contributes to a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with youth employment in African agriculture and provides a foundation for more coherent research and policy approaches.

The Influence of Total Quality Management on Organizational Performance through Organizational Culture as an Intervening Variable

2025-12-31T16:17:22+07:00

Total Quality Management (TQM) is widely recognized as an effective approach to enhancing competitiveness and supporting the sustainable development of the agricultural industry. This study aims to analyze the effect of TQM on organizational performance, with organizational culture acting as an intervening variable. The research was conducted in a consolidated agro-industrial State-Owned Enterprise located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were collected from both secondary sources, including company documents and relevant literature, and primary sources obtained through questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale. A total of 69 respondents participated in the study. The data were tested for validity, reliability, and correlation to examine the relationships among TQM, organizational culture, and organizational performance. Descriptive analysis and path analysis were employed using Smart PLS 4.0. The findings indicate that TQM has a positive and significant impact on organizational performance, both directly and indirectly through organizational culture. The effective implementation of TQM practices such as customer focus, top management commitment, process management, benchmarking, and employee involvement contributes to improved operational efficiency and product quality, while simultaneously fostering a quality-oriented organizational culture. The study highlights the theoretical importance of integrating TQM with organizational culture to achieve optimal performance outcomes. Practically, the results provide valuable insights for organizations in formulating strategies to enhance performance through the systematic implementation of TQM supported by a strong and conducive organizational culture.

Journal Siplieria Sciences

Youth Engagement and Employment in the African Agricultural Sector

The Influence of Total Quality Management on Organizational Performance through Organizational Culture as an Intervening Variable