Assessment of rural youth involvement in agricultural activities in Nasarawa State. Nigeria.

Abstract

This study analysed the rural youths in agricultural activities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, their perceptions towards agriculture, the determinants of rural youths’ participation in agriculture and the factors militating against their participation in the study area. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from 554 respondents drawn from Nasarwa State. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, logit regression were use for data analysis. The result reveals that farmers mean age were (X ̅ = 40 years), 88.5% were single, 83% had formal education, 95.7% were farmers, mean farming experience of 20years, 87% don’t owned land. Youth perceived farming as stressful (X ̅ = 4.06), agriculture is meant for aged (X ̅ = 3.60) and agriculture should be practice by less privilege (X ̅ = 3.44). The result of logic showed that age was statistically significant but negative (z=-1.93; P>0.010), Household size (z= 1.88; P>0.010); farming experience ( z= 5.91; P>0.001); Access to credit (z=1.86; P>0.010) and awareness on agriculture (z=2.96; P>0.05) were the major determinants to youth involvement in agricultural activities. Major constraints were; in adequate initial capital (X ̅ = 2.35), youths were considered irrational to make decision (X ̅ = 2.22) drudgery associated with farming (X ̅ = 2.14) The study concludes that youths were actively involved in agricultural activities. The study recommends that youth should be motivated in terms of credits facilities.