Assessment of youth participation in indigenous farm practices of vegetable production in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the youth participation in indigenous farm practices of vegetable production in Oyo State. The study specifically identified various indigenous farm practices that youth engage in and their level of participation. The study was conducted in four agricultural zones in the State namely Ibadan/Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Saki zones. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select respondents from the four zones. In all, a total of 200 youths were sampled in 10 communities. The findings revealed that the respondents mean age was 28.6 ± 3.8 years with an average of 18.2 years of farming experience. The various indigenous practices used by youth in the study area include handpicking (88%), hawking (87%), land clearing/hoeing (86%), ridge making (68%), seasonal planting (81%), manure application (82%), use of ash (67%), wetting/irrigation (63%), harvesting (71%) and use of natural pesticides (52%). There exist positive and significant correlation between level of participation and years of formal schooling (r=0.429; p<0.05), compatibility (r=0.042; p≤0.05), cosmopoliteness (r=0.208; p<0.05), resources availability (r=0.191; p<0.05), openness (r=0.216; p<0.05) and users' friendliness (r=0.171; p<0.05). There also existed strong association between level of perception of youths towards organic farming practices for indigenous vegetables and sex (χ²=121.335; p<0.05), land acquisition (χ²=305.327; p<0.05) and marital status (χ²=275.514; p<0.05). The study concluded that youths had been going through a process of socialization right from their early age for the skill acquisitions in some indigenous farm practices that are part of farm operations in the study area. This could be further reinforced by formal education and farming experience in their latter age for a sustainable agricultural development.

Soil and water conservation capabilities of male and female vegetable farmers on micro-veg project sites in south-western Nigeria

“…This is in line with the findings of MicroVeg (2017) that FVF were older than their male counterparts. The findings are also in conformity with Deji, Koledoye and Owonmbo (2012), Koledoye et al, (2013), Agboola et al (2015). The implication is that majority of the MVF and FVF were in their active ages when they could actively participate in vegetable production thereby enhancing food security.…”

The Effect of Farmer Participation in Agricultural Extension on Agribusiness Sustainability in Bogor, Indonesia

“…Table 2 shows that farmers' participation has a positive effect on farmers' agribusiness sustainability potential. The result of this study is consistent with the study of Ofuoku and Isife (2009), Agboola et al (2015) and Hauser et al (2016). Based on the respondents' information and the facts in the field, the extension workers have been trying to strengthen the farmers' groups and generate farmers' participation.…”

Determinants of youth participation in dry season vegetables cultivation in urban areas of Ondo State, Nigeria

“…On income realised from vegetables cultivation business, 50.2% of the respondents realised between ₦110,000 and ₦150,000 per cultivation season while 21.5% realised between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 per cultivation season however, the mean income was ₦114, 216.49± ₦47, 057.61. However, this is at variance with Agboola et al (2015) who reported an income of less than ₦100,000 per annum from the sale of vegetables by youth that participated in indigenous farm practices of vegetables production in Oyo state, Nigeria. Also, Issa et al (2011) reported an annual income of ₦100,000 in a study on youth involvement in agriculture in Sabon-Gari, Taraba State, Nigeria.…”