Page 1698

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

Youth Participation in Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security in

Nigeria

Catherine Omeriyang Madu (Ph.D), Alexander Uzochukwu Ogbunugwor

Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State,

Nigeria

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.1210000149

Received: 10 October 2025; Accepted: 20 October 2025; Published: 11 November 2025

ABSTRACT

Food security has been a source of concern globally. The paper underscores the need to promote youth

participation in agriculture as a gateway towards achieving sustainable food security particularly in South-East,

Nigeria. It proposes that by integrating youth perspectives and capabilities into agricultural practices, Nigeria

can pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future. These young people can bring new

ideas and technologies to agriculture, leading to more food being produced. The paper is grounded in

empowerment theory. It also discusses the impacts of youth participation in agriculture and their roles in

achieving sustainable food security in Nigeria. The challenges confronting youth participation in agriculture

were highlighted. The paper further examined the strategies as a way forward to enhance effective youth

participation in agriculture for food sustainability. These include: changing the perception of people towards

agriculture as a low pay and unattractive career, government to increase access to resources such as land,

microloan and grants to support the youth, government to create jobs and empower the youth, among others.

The paper concluded that by overcoming the challenges and adopting the proposed strategies, Nigerian youth

can become active participants in securing the nation’s food supply.

Keywords :Youth, Participation, Agriculture, Sustainable, Food Security

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria, a nation with a rapidly growing population faces a critical challenge of ensuring sustainable food

security for its citizens. The persistent challenges of hunger, inflation, and the general increase in the prices of

goods are no longer news to an average Nigerian. Despite boasting a vast agricultural sector, millions of people

still struggle with hunger and inadequate access to nutritious food. There is no gain saying that the traditional

agricultural practices in Nigeria is dominated by old people with limited capacity to adopt new methods and

technologies. This stagnation hinders progress towards a more efficient and productive food system. However,

a powerful solution lies within Nigerian’s youth participating in agriculture. Agriculture as a concept is defined

as the planting of crops and rearing of animals. According to Merriam- Webster Dictionary (2024), agriculture

is defined as the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops and raising livestock. Ismail

(2021) viewed agriculture as farming; it is the art and science that reshape a part of Earth’s crust through

cultivation of plants and crops as well as raising livestock for sustenance or other necessities for human being

and economic gain. The author stressed that agriculture is the backbone of economic system for developing

countries and a crucial livelihood for many Africans.

Agriculture, therefore, encompasses crops and livestock production for human use and economic purpose.

Studies have shown that when young people get involved in agriculture, they bring new ideas and technologies

leading to increased productivity and sustainable food security (Afolabi, 2018; Oloko & Adebayo, 2017).

Food security is the state of having sufficient and accessible food for man. According to World Food Summit

(1996, as cited in World Bank,2023) food security is a situation when all people at all times have physical and

economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meet their dietary needs and food preference for an

active and healthy life. This issue on food security was brought to the fore in 1974 during the world food

conference when the governments realized globally the need to strategized on how best to improve the

Page 1699

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

agricultural sector so as to match the per- capita need of the population. The World Development Indicators

(WDI) as cited in Metu, Okeyika and Maduka (2016) estimated that about 60 percent of Nigerians are living

on less than 1 dollar per a day and majority of the people live below the poverty line with hunger and

malnutrition being the order of the day due to inadequate food security. This situation becomes more difficult

and impossible for the country to achieve Goal 1 of Sustainable Development Goal of ending poverty in all its

forms everywhere before the year 2030. The Four dimensions of food security identified by FAO (2002)

includes; availability, accessibility, utilization and stability.

Food availability- entails making food available to all in order to meet the basic nutritional standard needed by

the body. Accessibility- this is the tendency to make the food reach everyone in the country. Utilization - is the

ability to make use of the food by everybody. Stability - the process of not making the food scarce or short in

supply. When all these, are put together, to have sustainable food security. Sustainable food security is the state

of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food (FAO,2002). Sustainable

food security therefore, is a food system that delivers food security and nutrition for all. This encompassing

from the processing, packaging and transporting of food to the consumers. The United Nations SDG 2 is also

concerned with seeking sustainable solutions to end hunger and achieve food security in all its forms by 2030.

The aim of this goal is to ensure that everyone has enough and quality food to live a healthy life.

The question that comes to play is: How real and achievable is this goal? A critical look at the situation in the

country can attest that Nigeria is still far in achieving the said goal. FAO (2024) reported that around 26.5

million Nigerians are at risk of hunger in 2024. This vulnerability is particularly acute in rural areas where

dependence on agriculture is high. This is more predominant in the South-East of Nigeria where the youth are

more inclined to business than farming. Many of them do not even know their way to the farm as the older

generations are ageing out. This is a source of worry to all and sundry. More so, Reliefweb as stated by

Akande (2022) estimated that 2 million children under five years are likely to be pushed into malnutrition in

Nigeria. However, by fostering youth participation in agriculture, Nigeria has the potential to not only secure

its food supply but also create a vibrant and modernized agricultural sector. The youth possess the potential

energy and technological aptitude to revolutionize the agricultural sector to bring about a sustainable food

security in Nigeria, hence, the need for this paper. The paper is divided into sections: following the

introduction is the Empowerment theory and the impact of youth participation in agriculture for sustainable

food security. The third section discusses the role of youth in achieving sustainable food security, while the

fourth section looks at the challenges to youth participation in agriculture in Nigeria. Section five covers the

strategies as a way forward to enhance youth participation in agriculture and conclusion.

Theoretical Framework: Empowerment Theory

The theoretical underpinning of this paper is grounded in empowerment theory. Paulo Freire in 1970 laid the

ideological and philosophical foundation in his book titled: ‘’Pedagogy of the Oppressed.” This theory is

rooted in Paulo Freire’s concept of education for critical consciousness and liberation. It posits that individuals

and communities can acquire power and control over their lives. Empowerment theory emphasizes providing

people with access to key resources as land, credit, training, and markets, along with the ability to make

informed choices and decisions. In this context, when young people are empowered through access to such

resources, they are better positioned to take ownership of agricultural activities and drive innovation toward

sustainability.

The Impact of Youth Participation in Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security

Youth participation in agriculture for sustainable food security cannot be underestimated. Youth as a concept is

defined as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to adulthood. Youth are people who have

passed childhood stage and have grown into adulthood (Obidile & Uzoekwe, 2018). According to National

Youth Policy in Nigeria (2019), youth are citizens of Nigeria aged 18-29 years. In the context of this paper,

youth are people aged 18- 35 years. These young people are energetic, full of potential and are ICT compliant

that can effectively change the narrative in agriculture. On the other hand, participation means involvement or

engagement. Youth participation in agriculture simply means, engaging young people in agriculture or

farming, which is synonymous with agriculture. Participation of youth in agriculture is crucial in sustainable

Page 1700

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

food security in Nigeria. AgroNigeria (2023) maintained that youth engagement in agriculture offers job

creation, increased food production, poverty reduction and sustained economic growth.

In the same vein Kote, et al (2024) averred that youth participation in agriculture enhances entrepreneurial

activities, involvement in value chains, policy formulation, and advocacy in food system structures. It is

pertinent to state that youth unemployment poses a significant challenge globally, particularly in developing

countries like Nigeria. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) (2023), the unemployment rate

among youth was 8.6% in 2023. The NBS further stated that Nigeria’s youth unemployment increased to 7.2

percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023. More so, Boye, et al (2024) buttressed that the unemployment

crisis in Africa is associated with an increasing population, a stagnating economy, many unskilled workers, and

the aging and deteriorating agricultural sector. The authors further revealed that the unemployment rate among

young people in the African region in 2022 was 12.7%, which exceeded the global average of 11.5%.

It is also higher than the unemployment rate among adults in Africa, which is 10.9%. This is an indication that

youth unemployment will continue to increase geometrically if efforts are not made to address the issue. It is a

known fact that the growing prevalence of unemployment and poverty has forced the youth to engage in

unlawful behavior or embark on risky journeys to developed countries in search of better

opportunities. Engaging youth in agriculture could reduce unemployment, rural to urban drift and enhance

food productivity. Babu, et al (2021) corroborated that youth engagement in agriculture is a vehicle to

address problems of rural unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity. However, the paper proposed in

addition to the literature reviewed some of the key areas where youth participation in agriculture could make a

positive impact in sustainable food security in Nigeria as thus:

1. Innovation and Technology Adoption: Youth are often more receptive to new ideas and technologies

than older generations. Their involvement in agriculture can lead to the adoption of climate-smart

practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture like practicing crop rotation, smart water

management, precision agriculture techniques, and other advancements that can improve yields.

Traditional practices and limited access to modern technologies often lead to low agricultural yields. This

gap between production and demand contributes to food shortages and price instability.

2. Sustainability and Environmental Consciousness: Many young people are passionate about

environmental issues. Their involvement in agriculture can promote sustainable practices such as organic

farming, soil conservation, and water management, contributing to long-term food security. In addition,

youth involvement in agriculture can foster a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the land, leading

to practices that can reduce pollution and protect ecosystems.

3. Entrepreneurship and Market Linkages: Young people often have the energy and drive to pursue

entrepreneurial ventures in agriculture especially online linkages and platforms. This can create new

businesses, connect farmers to markets, improve the overall efficiency of the food system, as well as

ensuring better access to nutritious food for all. Strong market linkages are essential for the success of

agricultural enterprises. Youth-led agribusinesses can play a pivotal role in connecting farmers to

markets, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing farmers' incomes. By establishing effective market

linkages, young entrepreneurs can ensure a steady demand for their products and improve the livelihoods

of rural communities.

4. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: Youth can act as a bridge between traditional farming

knowledge and new technologies. They can share their expertise with older farmers and help build

capacity within rural communities, promoting knowledge transfer for continued food security. They can

facilitate knowledge sharing between different regions or communities and also act as extension agents

that provides access to relevant information and resources.

5. Community development: Youth participation in agriculture can be a catalyst to community

development in different ways. It brings about youth empowerment through enhancement of their self-

esteem, leadership skills, and decision-making abilities. It also serves as an avenue for income

generation. Successful agricultural projects can increase household incomes, leading to improved living

standards.

Page 1701

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

Role of Youth in Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria

The role of youth in agriculture is pivotal for achieving sustainable food security in Nigeria. The following are

some of the roles in youth participation for achieving sustainable food security:

Enhanced Agricultural Productivity

Youth involvement in agriculture can significantly boost agricultural productivity through innovation and

adoption of modern farming techniques. According to Afolabi (2018), young farmers bring energy and

creativity to the sector, driving improvements in crop yields and livestock production. By leveraging

technological advancements and sustainable practices, youth-led initiatives can enhance efficiency and

resilience in agricultural systems, thereby increasing food production to meet growing demands.

Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction

Engaging youth in agriculture offers opportunities for economic empowerment and poverty reduction. As

highlighted by the World Bank (2023), agriculture remains a crucial source of livelihood for many Nigerians,

particularly in rural areas where poverty rates are often higher. By investing in youth-led agricultural

enterprises, providing access to financial resources, and promoting entrepreneurial skills, policymakers can

foster inclusive economic growth and reduce youth unemployment rates.

Preservation of Agricultural Heritage and Knowledge

Youth participation in agriculture plays a vital role in preserving Nigeria's agricultural heritage and traditional

knowledge. As noted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2024), passing down farming practices

and cultural traditions from older to younger generations ensures continuity and sustainability in agricultural

practices. By encouraging younger generations to embrace agriculture, Nigeria can ensure the continuity of

agricultural heritage while adapting practices to meet contemporary challenges such as climate change, soil

degradation etc.

Environmental Sustainability

Youth engagement in agriculture promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging the adoption of

climate-smart agricultural practices. FAO (2020) emphasizes the importance of sustainable land management,

water conservation, and biodiversity preservation in agricultural activities led by youth. By promoting agro

ecological approaches such as planting of trees, the use of animal manure and cover crops. This will enrich

the soil with organic matter and nutrients and reducing the sector's environmental footprint, youth can

contribute to long-term ecological balance and resilience in food production systems.

Social Cohesion and Community Development

Youth participation in agriculture fosters social cohesion and community development by strengthening local

food systems and enhancing food access. Through initiatives such as community gardens, farmers'

cooperatives, and agribusiness ventures, youth can contribute to food sovereignty and improve nutrition

outcomes within their communities (World Bank, 2023). By engaging youth as agents of change in agricultural

development, Nigeria can build more inclusive and resilient communities. Despite the numerous roles played

by young people in achieving sustainable food security, there are enormous challenges confronting their

participation in agriculture.

Challenges of Youth Participation in Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security

Youth engagement in agriculture in Nigeria faces multifaceted challenges as follows but not limited to:

1. Limited Access to Resources: Young farmers often lack access to land, credit, and other resources

needed to start and grow their businesses. Olaniyi and Abegunde (2020) maintained that access to

fertile land is a major constraint for young farmers, particularly in densely populated areas where land

Page 1702

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

ownership is often concentrated in the hands of older generation. Also, having funds to start farming and

purchase of equipment such as fertilizers and other inputs is often difficult for young people, thereby,

discouraging them from participating in agriculture.

2. Perceptions of People about Agriculture: There have been wrong perceptions among people in some

regions like south-East Nigeria, that agricultural work lacks profitability and prestige and is seen as a low

paying and unattractive career choice compared to urban employment opportunities and businesses.

Olagunju, Dawodu and Olumilua (2002) corroborate with this assertion that agriculture is seen in Nigeria

as a poor and low pay profession.This negative perceptions discourages the youth in engaging in

agriculture and a big challenge and threat to sustainable food security in Nigeria. Many young people

would choose going to urban areas in search of white-collar jobs than getting themselves involved in

agriculture.

3. Poor Infrastructure and Market Access: Poor infrastructure and market access is another challenge to

youth participation in agriculture. Poor road networks make it difficult for young farmers to get their

produce to markets, leading to post-harvest losses and reduced profits. In the same manner, lack of access

to proper storage facilities can lead to spoilage of produce, thereby, discouraging youth from investing in

agriculture as observed by (Olaniyi, & Abegunde, 2020).

4. Youth involvement in “Yahoo Yahoo” (Internet Fraud): Nigerian youth involvement in yahoo yahoo

business especially in the South-East to get rich quick rather than farming is a serious impediment to

sustainable food security (World Bank, (2019). Instead of the youth investing their time and creativity in

farming, they are drawn to illicit activities. This leaves agriculture in the South- East and Nigeria as a

whole in the hands of the older generations with little or no knowledge on modern technology, which

invariable leads to poor yield. This contributes to food insecurity in Nigeria. This view was supported by

Anyodele, Oyedeji and Badmos (2022) who found that youth engaged in internet fraud mainly to support

themselves financially rather than investing in agriculture.

5. Limited Government Policy Support: There is a dearth of policies explicitly targeting youth

involvement in agriculture. Existing policies often overlook the unique challenges and aspirations of

young people. Even when policies exist, their implementation is often inconsistent, with limited

resources allocated to youth-focused agricultural initiatives. This discourages young people who desire to

invest in agriculture.

6. Educational Disconnect: Agricultural education taught in the traditional system may not adequately

equip youth with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in modern agriculture which heavily

relies on technology, data analysis, and sustainable practices. This disconnect creates a significant

challenge for youth participation in agriculture. Hence, those who choose agriculture may lack the

necessary skills and knowledge to operate efficiently and competitively in the modern market.

7. Insecurity: Insecurity is a significant impediment to youth involvement in agriculture, a sector crucial

for Nigeria’s food security. Many farmers including young people are often targets of attacks,

kidnapping, and even killing by armed groups ( example, Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorist),

particularly, in the northern states. This creates a climate of fear that discourages young people from

venturing into rural areas for agricultural activities. Furthermore, insecurity leads to the destruction of

farmlands, equipment, and livestock, resulting in substantial financial losses for young farmers, this

disincentives agricultural pursuits. It is also pertinent to state that insecure conditions hinder the

transportation of agricultural products to markets leading to reduced income for farmers and discouraging

youth participation.

Strategies/Way forward for Enhancing Youth Effective Participation in Agriculture for Sustainable

Food Security in Nigeria.

A strategy is a technique in achieving a task. Some of the strategies to enhance youth participation in

agriculture are as follows:

1. Changing the Narrative of People towards Agriculture: The perception of people towards agriculture as

a low pay and unattractive profession should be changed. This is because a study carried out in South

Africa by Henning, Mathias, August and Madende (2022) revealed that a significant portion of young

people in Africa view agriculture as a poor man’s occupation or back- breaking work, which is also

applicable to the Nigerian context. This wrong perception can be changed through image boosting, by

Page 1703

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

promoting agriculture as a modern, profitable and dignifying career through media campaigns and success

stories of young agric-entrepreneurs.

2. Enhance Access to Resources: There should be an increased investment in youth agricultural programmes

by either government, NGOs or individuals to boast productivity. Idahosa and Egwunyenga (2017) added

that youth- focused credit scheme should be introduced in Nigeria, where government at all levels develop

loan programmes with low-interest rates and flexible repayment options specifically designed for young

people entering agriculture. More so, training and mentorship for young farmers become expedient in

enhancing agricultural sustainability in Nigeria.

3. Modernize Education and Training: Agricultural education should be revamped at all the levels of

education system (primary, secondary and tertiary) through modernizing the curricula by integrating ICT

into the programme to enhance access to information, market data, and online learning resources. There

should also be innovative and sustainable farming practices especially for urban young farmers. The use of

digital tools in agriculture will inspire more youth to see farming as a career worth pursuing. Studies have

suggested that a shift from traditional, low-income agriculture to modern, technology-driven agribusiness

is essential to make the sector attractive to young people ( Fawole & Ozkan, 2021; MDPI, 2020).

4. Strengthen Policy and Support Systems: Government should re-enact and implement agricultural

policies that incentivize youth participation and long-term investment in the sector in Nigeria. More so,

private companies, investors, agribusinesses and other non-governmental organizations could encourage

and support young people to engage in farming by providing them with financial aid. Aregbesola and

Ogunwuyi (2020) corroborated that youth- focused programmes that provide young farmers with training,

mentorship and financial grants to establish and grow their agricultural businesses should be strengthened.

Similarly, Obonyo (2023) added that African governments should adopt policies that encourage capacity-

building for those entering the agriculture industry through the provision of property rights, technology and

opportunities for value addition.

5. Beef-up Security: There is a need for Nigerian government to beef -up security to protect lives and

property of farmers. The Herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorizing farmers in Nigeria should be brought to

book and appropriate measures be put in place to safeguard those already in the business of farming. By so

doing, young Nigerians who are interested in farming would be encouraged to participate without fear of

molestation.

6. Provision of Health Insurance and Social Security: Government should provide health insurance and

social security benefits to address risk factors like death or kidnapping, and long-term commitment to

agriculture could play a positive role in encouraging young people to engage in agriculture.

7. Job Creation and Empowerment: Nigerian governments at all levels should create more jobs and

empower young ones to enable them change their mindset from yahoo yahoo (Internet fraud) to agriculture

or do something profitable. The agricultural sector is the largest employer of labour in Nigeria with some

reports indicating about 35% rate of the total labour force in 2020 (Ogbalubi & Wokacha, 2013). This

shows its immense potential to absorb the unemployed youth population. Research also highlights that

investing in agriculture leads to a decrease in unemployment and, in turn, a reduction in poverty (Ayinde,

2008).

CONCLUSION

The Nigerian youth hold the key to ensuring sustainable food security through their participation in agriculture.

By overcoming challenges like the perception of agriculture as outdated and non-profitable career, lack of

access to resources, limited government policies support, among others, young people can usher in a new era

of agricultural innovation and productivity. More so, adopting the suggested strategies such as making

agriculture to be attractive and lucrative, enhancing access to resources through establishing accessible

microloan and grants to empower the youth, investing in agricultural education, providing access to technology

and land, and fostering a supportive environment, etc, Nigerian youth can become active participants in

securing the nation's food supply. Their energy, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives are essential ingredients for

building a robust and sustainable agricultural sector that nourishes the country for generations to come.

Page 1704

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

REFERENCES

1. Afolabi, W. O. (2018). The role of youth in agricultural development in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural

Science and Food Technology, 6(6), 420-424.

2. AgroNigeria (2023). Youth engagement in agriculture offers immediate benefits- food systems expert.

Retrieved from: https://agronigeria.ng/expert-seeks-investment-in-innovative-farming-technologies-to-

sustain-food-security/

3. Akande, T. (2022). Agriculture: Solution to hunger, inflation, food insecurity in Nigeria Retrieved from:

https://www.zawya.com/en/world/africa/agriculture-solution-to-hunger-inflation-food-insecurity-in-

nigeria

4. Aregbesola, O. A., & Ogunwuyi, O. S. (2020). Problems and prospects of youth participation in

Agriculture: An overview of youth –back – to – land programmes in Ondo. International Journal of

Agricultural Research and Biosystems (IJARBS), 13(2), 1–10.

5. Ayinde, A. (2008). Agricultural growth and employment generation in Nigeria. Journal of Economic and

Social Studies, 1(2), 115-130

6. Ayodele, A., Oyedeji, J. K, & Badmos, H.O.(2022). Social construction of internet fraud as innovations

among youths in Nigeria. International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence and Cybercrime 5(1), 23-

42. Retrieved from: http://doi.org/10.52306

7. Babu, S.C, Franzel, S, Davis, K, & Srivastava, N. (2021). Drivers of youth engagement in agriculture.

Retrieved from: https: //www.papers.ssrn.com. 5

July, 2024

8. Boye, M, Ghafoor, A, Wudil, A.H, Usman, M, Prus, P, Feher, A &Sass, R. (2024). Youth engagement in

agribusiness: perception, constraints and skill training intervention in African: A system review.

Retrieved from: https://www.mdpi.com. 5

July , 2024

9. FAO. (2002). The state of food insecurity in the World : Retrieved from: https://www.fao.org. 5

July,

2024

10. FAO (2024). Hunger crises in Nigeria. Retrieved from:https://www.fao.org/nigeria/news/detail-

events/en/c/1661923/ . 5

July, 2024

11. Fawole, O.P., & Ozkan, B.(2021). Youth participation in agriculture and poverty reduction in Nigeria.

International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 9(4), 164-175

12. Henning, J.I.F., Mathias, N., August, M., and Madende, P.(2022). Youths perceptions and aspiration

towards participating in agricultural sector: A South Africa case study. Social Sciences Journal 11(5),

215. Retrieved from: www.mdpi,com

13. Idahosa, C. E., & Egwunyenga, O. M. (2017). Rural Youths' Participation in Agriculture: Prospects,

Challenges and the Implications for Policy in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Security, 5(1),

1–8.

14. Ismail, M. (2021). Concept of agriculture. Retrieved from linkedin.com. 5

July, 2024

15. Merrian -Webster Dictionary (2024). Concept of agriculture. Retrieved from https;//www.merrian-

webster.com/dictionary/agriculture . 5

July , 2024

16. Metu, A.G, Okeyika, K.O. & Maduka, O.D. (2016). Achieving sustainable food security in Nigeria:

challenges and way forward. 3

International Conference on African Development Issues.

17. MDPI (2020). Unlocking the potential of agribusiness in Africa through youth participation: An Impact

Evaluation of N-power Agro Empowernment Programme in Nigeria Sustainability, 12(14), 5437

18. National Bureau of Statistics (2023).Statistics of unemployment in Nigeria. Retrieved from:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/812300/youth-unemployment-rate-in-nigeria/. 8

July, 2024

19. National Youth Policy in Nigeria (2019). Concept of youth. Retrieved from : https//nigeriayouthsdgs.org.

July 2024.

20. Obonyo, R. (2023).Support for young people in agriculture is the key to food security in Africa.

Retrieved from :https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2023/01/18/support-for-young-people-in-agriculture-

is-key-to-food-security-in-africa/ on 26

July, 2024

21. Olagunju, T.E, Dawodu, E.O &Olumilua, B. (2002). Youths perception of agriculture in Nigeria. IJO-

International Journal of Agriculture and Research, 5(7), 1-6. Retrieved from:

http://www.ijojournals.com/index.php/ar/article.view/570

Page 1705

www.rsisinternational.org

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)

ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025

22. Olaniyi, O. S., & Abegunde, J. O. (2020). Factors influencing youth participation in agricultural

production in Kwara State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Research and Innovation, 10

(3), 321–332.

23. Oloko, G., & Adebayo, P. A. (2017). Challenges and enhancement of youth participation in agricultural

education for sustainable food security. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 23(4), 239–

251.

24. World Bank (2019). Nigeria economic update: The next generation of farmers. Retrieved from:

www.worldbank.com.

25. World Bank (2023). Economic empowerment and poverty reduction. Retrieved from :

https://www.worldbank.org. 8

July 2024.

26. World Bank (2024).Concept of food insecurity. Retrived from; https://www.worldbank.org