EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF RICE AND FISH AGRIBUSINESS VALUE-CHAIN NODES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA: ISSUES FOR YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Abstract

The high rate of unemployment in Nigeria and particularly, in the Niger Delta Region, which has manifested in numerous social vices, including militancy and communal clashes continued to limit development within the Region. The study therefore analysed the rice and fish agribusiness nodes, with a view to identifying priority enterprises which can provide enough incentive for the youths and move them away from vices towards gainful and meaningful employment. On the basis of the margin and investment anal;ysis, the study concluded that enterprise nodes within the two enterprises provided enough returns on investment to attract the youth towards agribusiness in the region. The study therefore recommended specific agribusiness enterprises for the three categories of States within the Region. It further suggested the deployment of these agribusiness nodes as key enterprises under the on-going Federal Government and Multi-donor supported agripreneurs initiative in Nigeria.