Abstract
Youth participation in agricultural cooperatives is critical for the sustainability and economic development of rural areas in South Africa. This study investigates the factors influencing youth involvement in agricultural cooperatives in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from two agricultural cooperatives through questionnaires and interviews with 200 cooperative members as well as qualitative interviews with officials from South Africa’s Department of Social Development. The findings reveal that while the youth constitute a significant portion of the population, their participation in cooperatives remains low. Key barriers include poor perception of agriculture, lack of incentives, and inadequate education. The study recommends targeted policies to enhance youth engagement, including awareness campaigns, improved educational programs, and financial incentives. Increasing youth participation is essential to ensure the sustainability of cooperatives and to meet the developmental goals set by Agenda 2063.