Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia

Tamirat Tsegaye; Rekiku Yohannes; Habtamu Abaynew; Assefa Dinku

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13

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Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia

Tamirat Tsegaye

, Rekiku Yohannes, Habtamu Abaynew^*

, Assefa Dinku

Published in American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business (Volume 12, Issue 1)

Received: 3 January 2026 Accepted: 14 January 2026 Published: 30 January 2026

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Abstract

Despite the Ethiopian government's efforts to promote youth participation in Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises (SMAEs) as a strategy for economic development, youth involvement in these sectors remains low. The purpose of the study was to identify the variables affecting youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises and how this influences employment creation and income in Maya city, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 180 youths from Maya City. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. The probit model results showed that land size, comfort in group work, extension services, and awareness of agribusiness positively influenced youth participation in SMAEs, while risk aversion and educational level had a negative effect. Additionally, the endogenous regression model revealed that youth employment creation and income were significantly and positively impacted by participation in SMAEs (0.5 full-time jobs and 7009.2 Birr, respectively). If non-participants had engaged in SMAEs, employment would have increased by 0.35 full-time equivalents and income by 5499.7 Birr. This highlights the vital role of SMAEs in boosting income and employment opportunities for youth. Therefore, the study recommends introducing agricultural insurance and financial safety nets to mitigate risks, raising awareness through campaigns and educational programs, improving access to credit with tailored financial products, and fostering comfort in group work through team building and mentorship. These strategies can significantly enhance youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises, thereby improving income levels and employment opportunities.

Published in	American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13
Page(s)	28-44
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Agricultural Enterprises, Endogenous Switching Regression, Employment, Income

References

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APA Style

Tsegaye, T., Yohannes, R., Abaynew, H., Dinku, A. (2026). Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business, 12(1), 28-44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13

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ACS Style

Tsegaye, T.; Yohannes, R.; Abaynew, H.; Dinku, A. Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia. Am. J. Theor. Appl. Bus. 2026, 12(1), 28-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13

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AMA Style

Tsegaye T, Yohannes R, Abaynew H, Dinku A. Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia. Am J Theor Appl Bus. 2026;12(1):28-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13,
  author = {Tamirat Tsegaye and Rekiku Yohannes and Habtamu Abaynew and Assefa Dinku},
  title = {Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {28-44},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajtab.20261201.13},
  abstract = {Despite the Ethiopian government's efforts to promote youth participation in Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises (SMAEs) as a strategy for economic development, youth involvement in these sectors remains low. The purpose of the study was to identify the variables affecting youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises and how this influences employment creation and income in Maya city, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 180 youths from Maya City. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. The probit model results showed that land size, comfort in group work, extension services, and awareness of agribusiness positively influenced youth participation in SMAEs, while risk aversion and educational level had a negative effect. Additionally, the endogenous regression model revealed that youth employment creation and income were significantly and positively impacted by participation in SMAEs (0.5 full-time jobs and 7009.2 Birr, respectively). If non-participants had engaged in SMAEs, employment would have increased by 0.35 full-time equivalents and income by 5499.7 Birr. This highlights the vital role of SMAEs in boosting income and employment opportunities for youth. Therefore, the study recommends introducing agricultural insurance and financial safety nets to mitigate risks, raising awareness through campaigns and educational programs, improving access to credit with tailored financial products, and fostering comfort in group work through team building and mentorship. These strategies can significantly enhance youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises, thereby improving income levels and employment opportunities.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia
AU  - Tamirat Tsegaye
AU  - Rekiku Yohannes
AU  - Habtamu Abaynew
AU  - Assefa Dinku
Y1  - 2026/01/30
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13
T2  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
JF  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
JO  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
SP  - 28
EP  - 44
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-7842
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13
AB  - Despite the Ethiopian government's efforts to promote youth participation in Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises (SMAEs) as a strategy for economic development, youth involvement in these sectors remains low. The purpose of the study was to identify the variables affecting youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises and how this influences employment creation and income in Maya city, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 180 youths from Maya City. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. The probit model results showed that land size, comfort in group work, extension services, and awareness of agribusiness positively influenced youth participation in SMAEs, while risk aversion and educational level had a negative effect. Additionally, the endogenous regression model revealed that youth employment creation and income were significantly and positively impacted by participation in SMAEs (0.5 full-time jobs and 7009.2 Birr, respectively). If non-participants had engaged in SMAEs, employment would have increased by 0.35 full-time equivalents and income by 5499.7 Birr. This highlights the vital role of SMAEs in boosting income and employment opportunities for youth. Therefore, the study recommends introducing agricultural insurance and financial safety nets to mitigate risks, raising awareness through campaigns and educational programs, improving access to credit with tailored financial products, and fostering comfort in group work through team building and mentorship. These strategies can significantly enhance youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises, thereby improving income levels and employment opportunities.
VL  - 12
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Tamirat Tsegaye

Department of Economics, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-8675-8132
Rekiku Yohannes

Department of Agricultural Economics, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia
Habtamu Abaynew

Department of Agricultural Economics, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4436-1388
Assefa Dinku

Department of Economics, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia

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Tsegaye, T., Yohannes, R., Abaynew, H., Dinku, A. (2026). Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business, 12(1), 28-44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13

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ACS Style

Tsegaye, T.; Yohannes, R.; Abaynew, H.; Dinku, A. Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia. Am. J. Theor. Appl. Bus. 2026, 12(1), 28-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13

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AMA Style

Tsegaye T, Yohannes R, Abaynew H, Dinku A. Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia. Am J Theor Appl Bus. 2026;12(1):28-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13,
  author = {Tamirat Tsegaye and Rekiku Yohannes and Habtamu Abaynew and Assefa Dinku},
  title = {Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {28-44},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajtab.20261201.13},
  abstract = {Despite the Ethiopian government's efforts to promote youth participation in Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises (SMAEs) as a strategy for economic development, youth involvement in these sectors remains low. The purpose of the study was to identify the variables affecting youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises and how this influences employment creation and income in Maya city, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 180 youths from Maya City. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. The probit model results showed that land size, comfort in group work, extension services, and awareness of agribusiness positively influenced youth participation in SMAEs, while risk aversion and educational level had a negative effect. Additionally, the endogenous regression model revealed that youth employment creation and income were significantly and positively impacted by participation in SMAEs (0.5 full-time jobs and 7009.2 Birr, respectively). If non-participants had engaged in SMAEs, employment would have increased by 0.35 full-time equivalents and income by 5499.7 Birr. This highlights the vital role of SMAEs in boosting income and employment opportunities for youth. Therefore, the study recommends introducing agricultural insurance and financial safety nets to mitigate risks, raising awareness through campaigns and educational programs, improving access to credit with tailored financial products, and fostering comfort in group work through team building and mentorship. These strategies can significantly enhance youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises, thereby improving income levels and employment opportunities.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Beyond the Farm: Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises as Engines for Youth Employment and Income in Maya City, Ethiopia
AU  - Tamirat Tsegaye
AU  - Rekiku Yohannes
AU  - Habtamu Abaynew
AU  - Assefa Dinku
Y1  - 2026/01/30
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13
T2  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
JF  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
JO  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
SP  - 28
EP  - 44
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-7842
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20261201.13
AB  - Despite the Ethiopian government's efforts to promote youth participation in Small and Micro Agricultural Enterprises (SMAEs) as a strategy for economic development, youth involvement in these sectors remains low. The purpose of the study was to identify the variables affecting youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises and how this influences employment creation and income in Maya city, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 180 youths from Maya City. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. The probit model results showed that land size, comfort in group work, extension services, and awareness of agribusiness positively influenced youth participation in SMAEs, while risk aversion and educational level had a negative effect. Additionally, the endogenous regression model revealed that youth employment creation and income were significantly and positively impacted by participation in SMAEs (0.5 full-time jobs and 7009.2 Birr, respectively). If non-participants had engaged in SMAEs, employment would have increased by 0.35 full-time equivalents and income by 5499.7 Birr. This highlights the vital role of SMAEs in boosting income and employment opportunities for youth. Therefore, the study recommends introducing agricultural insurance and financial safety nets to mitigate risks, raising awareness through campaigns and educational programs, improving access to credit with tailored financial products, and fostering comfort in group work through team building and mentorship. These strategies can significantly enhance youth participation in small and micro agricultural enterprises, thereby improving income levels and employment opportunities.
VL  - 12
IS  - 1
ER  -

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