Rural Youth Empowerment and Participation in Integrated Farmers Scheme in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated rural youth empowerment and participation in integrated farmers’ scheme of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It described the socio-economic characteristics of the participating youths, their level of participation, and ascertained the extent of success of the project to the beneficiaries. Primary data were used in the study. Responses were obtained with a structured questionnaire; which were analysed using descriptive and chi2 analysis. The results revealed that the mean age of the participants was 27.3 years with most (42.5%) participants of post-secondary education. Majority (72.5%) were males, moderate (40.3) of participants had no extension contact and sourced information from newspapers. Out of eleven agricultural production enterprises, majority (M=2.4) of the participants were involved in cassava enterprise and the most benefit derived by participants was increased capacity base (78.6%) Also, 70.5% of the participants affirmed that participating in the programmes empowered them for increased production. The finding further revealed that there were significant relationship between age, sex and educational status at 5% level of their participation in agricultural production activities. The study therefore recommended that extension agents should be improved to enhance effective services delivery, for timely agricultural information, adequate follow-up and monitoring.