Appraisal of rural youth participation in arable crop production in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State

Introduction

Rural youth play a crucial role in agricultural development, particularly in regions where agriculture serves as the backbone of the economy. In Rivers State, Nigeria, the involvement of young people in arable crop production is vital for enhancing food security, improving livelihoods, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Despite the potential benefits of engaging rural youths in farming activities, their participation remains inconsistent and often limited by various socio-economic factors (Adeyemo et al., 2020; Ojo and Ajayi, 2021) [2,22] . The significance of youth engagement in agriculture cannot be overstated. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2022) [10] , young farmers are essential for driving innovation and adopting new technologies that can increase productivity and efficiency in farming systems. In Nigeria, where a significant portion of the population is under 30 years old, tapping into this demographic's potential could lead to transformative changes in agricultural outputs (National Bureau of Statistics [NBS], 2021) [16] . However, barriers such as limited access to land, credit facilities, and modern farming techniques often hinder their participation (Okunlola and Adebayo, 2020) [27] . Research indicates that understanding the motivations and challenges faced by rural youths is critical for developing effective policies and programs aimed at enhancing their involvement in agriculture. For instance, a study by Eze et al. (2021) [7] highlighted that socio-cultural factors, educational background, and economic conditions significantly influence young people's decisions to engage in arable farming. Additionally, the role of local governments and non-governmental organizations in providing support services and training programs is vital in empowering these youths to take an active role in agricultural production (Ibrahim and Bello, 2022) [12] . Despite the critical roles of rural youth in driving agricultural development and ensuring food security in Rivers State, Nigeria, it seems their participation in arable crop production remains alarmingly low. Various factors contribute to this limited engagement, including socioeconomic challenges, lack of access to resources such as land and credit, insufficient training and education, and prevailing socio-cultural attitudes towards farming as a viable career option. Similarly, research by Nwankwo et al. (2022) [20] highlights that the perception of agriculture as an www.extensionjournal.com unprofitable venture significantly affects the willingness of rural youth to engage in farming activities. Many young individuals view farming as a last resort rather than a viable career option, which leads to a decline in interest in agricultural practices (Chukwu and Adebayo, 2023) [5] . This negative perception is compounded by the challenges of inadequate infrastructure, such as poor road networks and a lack of access to markets, which further discourage youth from participating in arable crop production (Okwu and Okwu, 2021) [28] . Furthermore, while there is a growing recognition of the need to involve youth in agriculture, existing policies and programs often fail to address the specific barriers that hinder their active participation. This gap in understanding the motivations and challenges faced by rural youths leads to ineffective strategies that fail to resonate with their needs and aspirations. As a result, there is a pressing need to systematically appraise the current level of involvement of rural youths in arable crop production in Rivers State.

Purpose of Study

The study aims to appraise the level of involvement of rural youths in arable crop production in Rivers State, Nigeria. To achieve this goal, the study seeks to achieve the following specific objectives: 1. to examine the demographic information of the respondents 2. to determine the level of involvement of rural youths in arable crop production 3. to identify the constraining factors affecting rural youths' involvement in arable crop production

Methodology of the Study

Source: Google Maps [17] . The primary occupations in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA revolve around agriculture, fishing, and oil-related activities. The fertile land in the area supports various agricultural practices, with crops such as cassava, yams, and plantain being commonly cultivated. Fishing is also a vital occupation due to the proximity to rivers and streams, providing a source of livelihood for many residents. In recent years, oil exploration and production have become increasingly significant to the local economy. The presence of oil companies has led to job creation and infrastructural development, but has also raised concerns regarding environmental degradation and social impacts on local communities (Nwankwo et al., 2022) [19] . Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select respondents for this study. Three (3) wards were purposively selected due to the high number of youths. They were: ward 4 (Omoku), ward 11 (Egbema) and ward 13 (Ndoni). Four (4) communities were randomly selected from each Ward, totalling twelve (12) communities. A proportionate sample of respondents was selected randomly using balloting systems (Issa et. al., 2014) [14] . In all, one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were selected for the study. A structured interview schedule was used to elicit relevant information from the respondents. Secondary data was obtained from literature such as textbooks, the internet, journals, and other published items related to agricultural production. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages, and mean.

Results and Discussion

Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents

The demographic data presented in Table 1 reveal important insights into the characteristics of the study participants. A notable finding is that 58% of respondents were male, while 42% were female, indicating a predominance of male participants. This gender distribution aligns with findings from similar studies, such as those conducted by Smith et al. (2020) [30] , who reported a male-to-female ratio of approximately 60:40 in their research on agricultural communities. In terms of age distribution, the majority of respondents (63%) fell within the 21-30-year age bracket, followed by 25% aged 20 years and younger. Only 10% were in the 41-50-year range, and a mere 2% were aged 51 and above. This trend is consistent with the findings of Johnson and Lee (2019) [30] , who noted that younger individuals are often more engaged in agricultural activities due to physical demands and adaptability to new technologies. The marital status of participants indicated that a significant proportion (64%) were single, while 24% were married. The percentages of separated (3%), widowed (7%), and widower (2%) respondents were relatively low. This high percentage of single individuals may reflect the socio-economic conditions and cultural norms prevalent in the region, similar to observations made by Ojo (2021) [24] , who found that singlehood is common among young adults in rural areas due to economic constraints. Educational attainment varied significantly among respondents, with 14% lacking formal education and 29% having completed the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). Those with higher qualifications included 20% with Senior Secondary www.extensionjournal.com Certificate Examination (SSCE/WAEC), 17% with National Certificate in Education (NCE) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND), and only a small percentage holding advanced degrees (1.7% with Master's and 0.8% with Ph.D.). These findings echo the work of Adeyemi and Olatunji (2022) [1] , who highlighted the challenges faced by rural populations in accessing higher education, which often limits their economic opportunities. Occupationally, a significant majority (66%) were engaged in farming, followed by smaller percentages involved in trading (9%), civil service (5%), and other occupations. This finding is consistent with the research conducted by Nwankwo et al. (2020) [21] , which indicated that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood in rural settings, emphasizing its importance for economic stability. Religiously, the data showed that 66% of respondents identified as Christians, while 32% practiced Traditional beliefs, and only 2% were Muslims. This distribution reflects the cultural landscape of the region, as noted by Okeke (2018) [26] , who emphasized the predominance of Christianity and traditional beliefs in rural communities. Regarding monthly income, the results indicated that 17% earned less than ₦10,000, while 55% earned between ₦10,000 and ₦40,000. Only 3% reported incomes above ₦81,000. This income distribution highlights the economic challenges faced by many respondents, which is supported by findings from Eze et al. (2021) [9] , who reported similar income levels among rural households. Lastly, household size varied significantly among respondents. Only 2% lived in households with 1-2 members, while 46% had 3-5 members, and larger households of 6-8 members constituted 28%. Households with 9-11 members accounted for 17%, and those with 12 or more members made up 7%. This pattern resonates with findings from Uche and Ijeoma (2019) [32] , who noted that larger household sizes are common in rural areas due to cultural norms favouring extended families.

Level of rural youth involvement in arable crop production

The results presented in Table 2 indicate varying levels of involvement among rural youths in arable crop production across three different wards of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State: Omoku (Ward 4), Egbema (Ward 11), and Ndoni (Ward 13). The mean scores for each activity are categorized using a Likert-type rating scale of Very low (1), Low (2), High (3), and very high (4) based on a midpoint of 2.5, with scores below this threshold indicating low involvement and those at or above indicating high involvement. Response on pre-planting operations, as indicated in Table 2, shows that all the wards scored a mean of 2.00, indicating low involvement. This finding aligns with the observations of Adeyemo et al. (2020) [3] , who noted that limited access to resources and training contributes to low participation in nursery activities among rural youths. Decision-making on site location: mean scores ranged from 1.80 to 1.85, also reflecting low involvement. This suggests a lack of agency among youths in agricultural decision-making, as corroborated by Akintola (2019) [4] , who emphasized the importance of youth engagement in decision-making processes for sustainable agricultural practices. Responding to land clearing, Table 2 revealed a higher mean score of (2.60 to 2.65) across all wards, indicating a significant level of involvement. This is consistent with findings by Ojo and Olayide (2021) [23] , who reported that land preparation is often a primary responsibility for rural youths, reflecting their physical contribution to farming. Ploughing and harrowing; both activities received low mean scores (1.00 to 1.80), indicating minimal involvement. This is supported by the work of Nwankwo et al. (2022) [20] , which highlighted that the lack of mechanization and reliance on older farmers have reduced youth participation in these labour-intensive tasks. Table 2 further revealed that in ridge making, all wards recorded high mean scores (M=2.70), suggesting that this practice is well adopted among youths, possibly due to its simplicity and importance in crop production, as noted by Eze et al. (2021) [8] . Responding on planting operations, Table 2 revealed that transplanting and sowing scored low (1.80 to 2.00). This aligns with the findings of Uche et al. (2023) [31] , who found that many youths prefer simpler tasks and may lack training in more complex planting techniques. A high mean score of (2.60 to 2.65) was recorded on thinning/supplying, indicating significant involvement. Responding to monitoring/field observations, it was observed from Table 2 that mean scores were notably high (3.45 to 3.80), suggesting active engagement in observing crop health, which is vital for timely interventions, as highlighted by Chukwu et al. (2021) [6] . Weeding and fertilizer application recorded mean scores of 1.00 to 2.00, reflecting low involvement. These findings support the research of Ibeawuchi et al. (2019) [11] , which indicated that many youths lack knowledge about effective weeding techniques and fertilizer use. Table 2 further revealed high mean scores of 2.70, indicating a positive trend towards soil conservation practices among youths, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture as discussed by Okeke et al. (2020) [25] . Responding to post planting operations, Table 2 shows mean scores of 2.90 to 3.50 reflect high involvement, which is consistent with the findings of Nwachukwu et al. (2018) [18] that harvesting is often seen as a communal activity where youths play a significant role. Control of pests and diseases also attracted high mean scores of 2.60 to 2.65. This suggests that rural youths are actively involved in pest management, corroborating the work of Okwu et al. (2021) [28] , which emphasized the importance of youth in integrated pest management strategies. With a high mean score of 2.70 across all wards, as indicated in Table 2, this result shows that youths are increasingly involved in marketing their produce. These findings corroborate the findings of Igbokwe et al. (2022) [13] , who noted that marketing skills are essential for economic sustainability among young farmers.

Constraining factors of rural youths' involvement in arable crop production

The results of Table3 identifies various constraints affecting rural youth participation in arable crop farming, with a midpoint score of 2.5 used to evaluate the severity of these constraints. The factors are ranked based on their weighted mean scores, which reflect the degree of impact on participation. Table 3 revealed that poor yield as a result of the use of marginal land recorded a weighted mean of 3.80. This factor ranks first, indicating it is a significant constraint for rural youth, likely due to the challenges associated with farming on less productive land. Lack of credit facilities (Weighted Mean: 3.80), lack of interest in farming (Weighted Mean: 3.70) -Ranking second, this suggests that engagement and motivation among rural youth are key issues that need addressing to enhance participation. Lack of government support (Weighted Mean: 3.67). This factor ranks third, emphasizing the need for more robust policies and support systems from the government to encourage youth involvement in agriculture. High cost of planting materials (Weighted Mean: 3.60) -Ranking fourth, this indicates that financial barriers related to purchasing necessary inputs are a significant concern. Inadequate agricultural extension services (Weighted Mean: 3.42) -This constraint, ranked sixth, points to the necessity for better access to information and resources that can aid young farmers. Lack of technical know-how (Weighted Mean: 2.75) -Although it ranks lower, this factor still indicates that knowledge and skills development are important for enhancing participation. Seasonal flooding (Weighted Mean: 2.67) -This environmental challenge ranks eighth, suggesting that while it is a concern, it may not be as impactful as other factors. Lack of basic amenities (Weighted Mean: 3.70) -Also ranking second, this reflects the need for essential services and infrastructure in rural areas to support farming activities.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The demographic analysis of the study participants provided a comprehensive overview of their socio-economic characteristics, revealing a predominance of male respondents (58%) and a youthful demographic, with 63% of the participants aged between 21 and 30 years. The high percentage of single individuals (64%) suggests socioeconomic influences that resonate with regional cultural norms, while educational attainment reflects significant challenges, with only a small fraction achieving higher degrees. The occupational landscape is dominated by farming (66%), underscoring its critical role in rural livelihoods, which aligns with existing literature on economic stability in such communities. The religious affiliation predominantly leans towards Christianity (66%), reflecting the local cultural context. Furthermore, the income distribution indicates economic hardships, as a majority earn between ₦10,000 and ₦40,000 monthly. Lastly, household sizes vary, with larger families being common due to cultural preferences for extended kinship structures. The study further concludes that there was a mixed level of involvement among rural youths in arable crop production activities, with significant participation in certain areas like land clearing, harvesting, and pest control, while other critical areas, such as nursery preparation and fertilizer application, show low engagement levels. The findings indicate that poor yield from marginal land and lack of credit facilities are the most significant constraints to rural youth participation in arable crop farming. Additionally, inadequate government support and high costs of planting materials further hinder engagement.

Based on these findings, the study suggests the following recommendations • Targeted intervention programs to enhance rural youth participation in all aspects of agricultural production should be prioritized by the government and other agricultural service providers. • Collaborating with financial institutions to create youthfriendly credit facilities can help alleviate the financial barriers that currently hinder rural youth participation in farming activities • Providing access to quality planting materials and other emerging technologies, such as drones, at subsidized rates can also encourage greater involvement of rural youth in all aspects of arable crop production.

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