Our studies of young people across our A1 land reform sites in Zimbabwe show the real challenges that young people face in getting established as independent economic actors. This requires putting together a portfolio of activities, diversifying opportunistically while also seeking a stable source of income through acquiring land. This is not easy. It is hard work, stressful and not always successful.
How are young people able to accumulate and establish themselves? As we have seen in earlier blogs, access to land is key, and gaining this through subdivision of parents’ land the most important route. But in addition to farming, young people are doing many other things, characterised as ‘self-employment’, involving earning money locally, including through artisanal mining especially in Matobo, and combining this with farming.
This article is from Zimbabweland, a blog written by IDS Research Fellow Ian Scoones. Zimbabweland focuses on issues related to rural livelihoods and land reform in Zimbabwe.