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DETERMINANTS OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURAL SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
The farming population in Nigeria is rapidly ageing and unable to meet the increasing complex challenges of technology transfer and market demands. This study investigated the determinants of youth involvement in agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs).A four-stage sampling procedure was used to select 153 respondents. Parameters assessed include agricultural enterprise characteristics, types of agricultural enterprise, involvement in agricultural SMEs, farm management practices and constraints to involvement in agricultural enterprise. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at α0.05. Regression analysis revealed that, land management (β=0.39), types agricultural enterprise (β=0.23); farm size (β=0.28), water management (β= -0.17) and monthly income (β= -0.20) were the major predictors of involvement in agricultural SMEs. However, types of agricultural enterprises (r = 0.38) and constraints (r = 0.19)contributed significantly to youth involvement in agriculture enterprise. Results further showed that, lack of access to credit greatly limits youth involvement in agricultural SMEs. Youth involvement in agricultural SMEs was generally low. However, cassava production was the most prominent available agricultural enterprise. Nonetheless, lack of access to credit greatly limits youth involvement in agricultural SMEs.
Keywords: Agricultural SMEs, Farm enterprise, Rural community, Land management, Youth
involvement.