Agro-Allied Small and Medium Enterprises and the Economy of Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper focused on Agro-allied Small and Medium Enterprises and the economy of Kogi State, Nigeria. The specific aims were to ascertain the effect of agriculture on the GDP of Nigeria, and examine how entrepreneurial activities of Agro-allied SMEs affect job creation in Kogi State. The researchers employed survey research design; using purposive sampling where 120 ‘agripreneurs’ (farmers who are entrepreneurs) were selected. The study covered three senatorial districts. Both descriptive and inferential analytical techniques (Multiple Regression Model) were applied for data analysis. Finding showed that the effects of entrepreneurial activities of Agro-allied SMEs on job creation in Kogi State are weak. Furthermore, finding showed that Contribution to Agricultural Sector (CTAS) has a positive relationship with Gross Domestic Product in Nigeria. The study concluded that empowerment of Agro-allied SMEs will culminate into reduced unemployment rate. The study recommended that government should make long-term investment in the agriculture sector to increase positive impact on the GDP of Nigeria, and that the economic stakeholders should strategically empower, promote and protect the entrepreneurial activities of Agro-allied SMEs to take advantage of increased job creation in Kogi State.