Rural youth engaged in growing of crops such as beans, sesame, soya beans, maize, and vegetables on members’ family land. However, crop production was reported to be affected by drought and price changes thus affecting returns on investment. In urban settings, one group operated a mixed farm with horticulture, floriculture, and fish farming. The youth operated home gardens and yard farming near houses and in compounds. We observed fishponds, a variety of fruits (guava, avocado, mangoes, and papayas), flowers, and nursery beds on one or two acres of family land in Layibi division, Gulu Municipality. The participants in that youth group revealed that they had operated the business since 2007 and applied for youth livelihood funds to expand the business to sizeable margins and introduced innovations.
Produce business
Although produce business is mainly concerned with trading, this study categorised it under agriculture-related enterprises because youth were dealing in agricultural produce. Participants often reported cereal buying and selling as one of the profitable ventures. Only two groups carried out this economic activity. Youth reported that the business venture had potential market and quick gains compared to crop production and livestock. The business was common in rural areas due to proximity to stock at cheaper cost during harvesting season. Youth purchased agricultural products such as beans, maize, soybeans, sesame, groundnuts, sorghum, and millet. One enterprise had over 25 sacks of produce each of 102 kilogrammes in stores. The products had shorter lead-time in business, and enterprise was more rewarding to the owners. The business was valued and flourishing as observed in store and records provided. One project member owned a retail shop near the store making it easy for suppliers/ farmers to deliver products at any time of the day. With self-confidence, a member explained:
We are dealing in produce buying and selling as you can see. We deal in maize, beans, soya, and sesame. As an individual, I also have my retail shop near our store to target suppliers every time. We are also cultivating for members, we used to cultivate for money before livelihood programme (Income Generating Activity Member, Awach Subcounty, 2019).
This type of business directly depends on land for supplies and stock. Furthermore, discussions suggested that youth dealing in produce business were prosperous. To supplement their earnings, youth practiced joint/group cultivation for members to contribute part of the harvest to increase stock. An increase in price of stock motivates youth to sell and buy more from farmers. However, the business requires a strong network with farmers, large-scale produce dealers and regular working capital to meet the market demands. Therefore, the value chain is fundamental in fostering entrepreneurial success.
Animal traction
Ox-plough cultivation is directly attached to land as a resource. Youth kept cattle that were used to plough land for other community members for a fee, in addition to their own gardens. Indeed, animal traction was listed among livelihood support components in the YLP document (MoGLSD 2013:22). This enterprise was only operated by rural youth, where land for grazing and tilling was available and abundant.