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Youth in Agri-Entrepreneurship in Nepal. Agency in Times of Change

Lucks, Johanna Paula LU (2026) MIDM19 20261
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
In light of global patterns of youth disengagement from farming, agri-entrepreneurship emerges as an opportunity for youth to reconnect with agriculture. This research investigates the experiences of young agri-entrepreneurs in Nepal. Embedded in a context of youthunemployment, migration, and the recent Gen Z movement, this study focuses on Nepali youth who exert agency through developing agri-businesses. It aims to understand youths’ underlying motivations and how they navigate challenges and constraints in agri-entrepreneurship.Thereby, it explores the neglected aspect of agency in youth agri-entrepreneurship research.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 youth agri-entrepreneurs in Nepal, drawing on a diverse sample from... (More)
In light of global patterns of youth disengagement from farming, agri-entrepreneurship emerges as an opportunity for youth to reconnect with agriculture. This research investigates the experiences of young agri-entrepreneurs in Nepal. Embedded in a context of youthunemployment, migration, and the recent Gen Z movement, this study focuses on Nepali youth who exert agency through developing agri-businesses. It aims to understand youths’ underlying motivations and how they navigate challenges and constraints in agri-entrepreneurship.Thereby, it explores the neglected aspect of agency in youth agri-entrepreneurship research.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 youth agri-entrepreneurs in Nepal, drawing on a diverse sample from rural and urban areas. The findings highlighted youths’ desire to drive change in multiple spheres through agri-entrepreneurship, including generating income and employment, and countering migration pressures. Youth faced resource, market, governance and societal constraints in Nepal’s agri-business context. They navigated challenges through peer support, problem-solving, accepting multiple roles, active learning, perseverance, patience, passion and persistence. These capacities to act and youth intentions reveal how youth agency unfolds in a context of change and constraints to agri-entrepreneurship. It indicates that youth agency is central to maneuvering in agri-entrepreneurship, while policy needs to address constraints to scaling up youth agri-entrepreneurship opportunities. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lucks, Johanna Paula LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Agri-Entrepreneurship, Youth, Agency, Nepal, Youth Agency
language
English
id
9226383
date added to LUP
2026-06-30 15:11:17
date last changed
2026-06-30 15:11:17
@misc{9226383,
  abstract     = {{In light of global patterns of youth disengagement from farming, agri-entrepreneurship emerges as an opportunity for youth to reconnect with agriculture. This research investigates the experiences of young agri-entrepreneurs in Nepal. Embedded in a context of youthunemployment, migration, and the recent Gen Z movement, this study focuses on Nepali youth who exert agency through developing agri-businesses. It aims to understand youths’ underlying motivations and how they navigate challenges and constraints in agri-entrepreneurship.Thereby, it explores the neglected aspect of agency in youth agri-entrepreneurship research.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 youth agri-entrepreneurs in Nepal, drawing on a diverse sample from rural and urban areas. The findings highlighted youths’ desire to drive change in multiple spheres through agri-entrepreneurship, including generating income and employment, and countering migration pressures. Youth faced resource, market, governance and societal constraints in Nepal’s agri-business context. They navigated challenges through peer support, problem-solving, accepting multiple roles, active learning, perseverance, patience, passion and persistence. These capacities to act and youth intentions reveal how youth agency unfolds in a context of change and constraints to agri-entrepreneurship. It indicates that youth agency is central to maneuvering in agri-entrepreneurship, while policy needs to address constraints to scaling up youth agri-entrepreneurship opportunities.}},
  author       = {{Lucks, Johanna Paula}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Youth in Agri-Entrepreneurship in Nepal. Agency in Times of Change}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}