This paper examines the impact of recent structural changes within the agricultural economy on youth. The paper argues that an understanding of the incorporation of agriculture into the world economy, the various political alliances in which colonial authorities engaged in to achieve rural administration, and attempts to control labour. Colonial authorities empowered elders and chiefs to control land and youth. This system functioned well within an expanding frontier economy and boom, but economic downturn, growing land scarcity and social differentiation have produced increasing turmoil and crisis for youth. Nowadays, the family farm is undermined by market factors, and farming becomes increasingly atomistic as land and labour are increasingly transacted between individuals, even between family members. This paper examines the impact of recent structural changes within the agricultural economy on youth. The paper argues that an understanding of the position of youth in the farm economy requires a historical analysis of the incorporation of agriculture into the world economy, the various political alliances in which colonial authorities engaged in to achieve rural administration, and attempts to control labour. Colonial authorities empowered elders and chiefs to control land and youth. This system functioned well within an expanding frontier economy and boom, but economic downturn, growing land scarcity and social differentiation have produced increasing turmoil and crisis for youth. Nowadays, the family farm is undermined by market factors, and farming becomes increasingly atomistic as land and labour are increasingly transacted between individuals, even between family members.

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