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Apr 30, 2021Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Determinants of rural youths participation in Pita-hybrid plantain production in Ngor-Okpala LGA, Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study was designed to analyze the determinants of Rural Youths participation in PITA-hybrid plantain production in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, Nigeria. Ninety (90) respondents were involved in the study using a multistage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics and logit regression were employed in analysis. Majority (72.2%) of the respondents were males, married (60.0%), belong to cooperative society (83.3%), had access to land (83.3%), access to credit (77.8%) and had 1-2 contacts with extension agents (61.1%). Planting had the highest mean score ( = 4.00), followed by harvesting ( 3.91), land preparation ( =3.80), propagation material ( =3.41) and farm decision ( =3.08), indicating high level of participation. The major constraints were insufficient PITA-Hybrid suckers ( =3.37), followed by land acquisition ( = 3.16), poor attitude to farming ( =3.00) and poor market access ( =2.99). The coefficients for educational level, and attitude to farming were directly related to probability of participation in pita-hybrid plantain production among the youths and significant at 5% level each, as well as labour, and suitable agro-ecological conditions (1% level each), and farming experience (10% level). The coefficients for age and farm size had an indirect relationship with probability of participation in pita-hybrid plantain production among the youths and significant at 5% and 1% level respectively. The results therefore call for policies aimed at provision of free and affordable education to enable the youth’s access and process information on innovations that will enhance participation and increased production of plantains in the study area. To forestall negative effects of age and farm size might have on participation in PITA-Hybrid plantain production, a public enlightenment on poor attitude to farming in the rural areas will help in positively changing rural youths’ perception about farming and its economic implication.
