Constraints to Youths’ involvement in Agricultural Production in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the constraints to rural youth involvement in agricultural Production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were selected using a multi-stage cluster random sampling technique. Ten school respondents each were selected from twelve farming communities in the area. The major constraints hindering youth participation in agriculture were identified as inadequate credit facility (X=2.883), lack of agricultural insurance (M.S= 2.667), poor returns to agricultural investment (X=2.667), lack of basic farming knowledge (X=2.567) and lack of access to tractors and other farm inputs. The chi-square showed relationship between the constraints and inadequate credit facility (x2-7.12), as well as lack of basic farming knowledge (x2-7.48). The study recommended provision of credit facilities with less stringent procedures and resuscitation of Agricultural Training Centres across the State to enhance youth’s participation in agriculture.