Youth Participation in Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria

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.

Youth, Participation, Agriculture, Sustainable, Food Security

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. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Ayinde, A. (2008). Agricultural growth and employment generation in Nigeria. Journal of Economic and Social Studies, 1(2), 115-130 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Babu, S.C, Franzel, S, Davis, K, & Srivastava, N. (2021). Drivers of youth engagement in agriculture. Retrieved from: https: //www.papers.ssrn.com. 5th July, 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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. 5th July , 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. FAO. (2002). The state of food insecurity in the World : Retrieved from: https://www.fao.org. 5th July, 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. FAO (2024). Hunger crises in Nigeria. Retrieved from:https://www.fao.org/nigeria/news/detail-events/en/c/1661923/ . 5th July, 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Ismail, M. (2021). Concept of agriculture. Retrieved from linkedin.com. 5th July, 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Merrian -Webster Dictionary (2024). Concept of agriculture. Retrieved from https;//www.merrian-webster.com/dictionary/agriculture . 5th July , 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Metu, A.G, Okeyika, K.O. & Maduka, O.D. (2016). Achieving sustainable food security in Nigeria: challenges and way forward. 3rd International Conference on African Development Issues. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. National Bureau of Statistics (2023).Statistics of unemployment in Nigeria. Retrieved from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/812300/youth-unemployment-rate-in-nigeria/. 8th July, 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. National Youth Policy in Nigeria (2019). Concept of youth. Retrieved from : https//nigeriayouthsdgs.org. 8th July 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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 26th July, 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. World Bank (2019). Nigeria economic update: The next generation of farmers. Retrieved from: www.worldbank.com. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. World Bank (2023). Economic empowerment and poverty reduction. Retrieved from : https://www.worldbank.org. 8th July 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

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

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study