Youths’ Involvement in Rice Production in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study ascertained the level of youths’ involvement in rice production activities in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 80 respondents from Bende Local Government Area rice cluster was purposively selected because of their high level in rice production in the State. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule and were analysed using mean, standard deviation and regression. The study revealed that youths were into land clearing (𝑥̅=2.00), raising of nursery (𝑥̅=2.00), buying and selling of rice seedling (𝑥̅=2.00)and planting of seedling (𝑥̅=2.00). Access to credit (t=-2.57) and number of extensions visit (t=2.46) significantly influenced youths’ involvement. Youths were constrained mainly by lack of capital to scale up production (𝑥̅=2.98), poor support from government (𝑥̅=2.73), poor access to improved seedlings (𝑥̅=2.49), high cost of production (𝑥̅=2.34), climatic factors (𝑥̅=2.10)and lack of information on agricultural business opportunities (𝑥̅=2.08). Youths were involved in rice production though, occasioned by lack of access to credit and extension visit. Extension should increase the frequency of visit to at least once in a month to allow for more productive engagement and should expose youths to lucrative opportunities in rice production coupled with linking them to available credit options that can meaningfully support their activities.