Determinants of rural youth's decision to participate in agricultural Activities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. In: Kolawole Adebayo (ed). Rural Social Protection and Interventions in Nigeria.

Abstract

The aim of the study analyzed the determinants of rural youth’s decision to participate in agricultural activities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample 277 youths. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaire and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percentage, mean and inferential statistics such as Logit regression model and pair-wise correlation. The result shows greater percentage of the youths (68.23%) had no interest (unfavourable attitude) in agriculture. The major determinants of youth’s decision to participate in agriculture were age (p>/z/=0.084), household size (p>/z/=0.087), farming experience (p>/z/=0.000), land ownership (p>/z/=0.011), access to credit (p>/z/=0.062) and awareness on agricultural opportunities (p>/z/=0.003). Perceptions correlates positively and significant to participation in agricultural activities (r=0.8729) and influenced youths interest in agricultural activities. It is recommended that there should be proper orientation and public enlightenment on the importance and the opportunities in agriculture for better youths’ involvement. Age, household size, farming experience, land ownership, access to credit and awareness should be the major determinants in considering what will draw the attention of youths in agricultural activities.