FACTORS INFLUENCING YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN EZINIHITTE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined youth participation in agricultural activities in Ezinihitte Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 80 randomly selected youths in study area using structured interview schedule. Data analysis was achieved using descriptive statistics such as percentages and rankings. The result revealed that 88.7% of the respondents were below the age of 36years, 62.5% were male, 37.5% were females, 56.25% married, 43.75% single. It also revealed that more than 90% had formal education from primary to tertiary education, while less than 10% had no formal education. Furthermore, it showed that about 35% of the respondents earned over 80,000 naira as their annual income from agricultural activities. Seven (7) factors were identified as determinant for youth participation in agricultural activities. These were ranked in ascending order which include lack of capital (91.3%), difficulty in accessing loan from banks (85.0%), poor government support (82.5%), high cost of agricultural inputs (67.5%), inadequate extension services (61.3%) and inadequate land (55.0%) and poor transportation (48.8%). The study concluded that the above-mentioned factors were the most important constraints that are affecting youths from effective participation in agricultural activities in study area. This suggests that providing youths with adequate and affordable capital and other farm inputs will enhance agricultural activities such as crop production, fishing, rearing of animals, and livestock production in the area.