Livelihood diversification and youth participation in agricultural production in Ifelodun and Irepodun areas of Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Youth disengagement from agriculture remains a critical concern in Nigeria, with implications for rural employment, food security, and sustainable agricultural development. This study examined the relationship between livelihood diversification and youth participation in agricultural production in Ifelodun and Irepodun local government areas of Kwara State, Nigeria. Ten communities were selected from each local government using stratified random sampling. Proportionate random sampling subsequently yielded 193 youth respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) to test relationships. Non‑farm activities (barbing/hairdressing (62.2%), soap making (46.1%), carpentry (45.6%), and agricultural enterprises; poultry (96.4%), crop production (92.7%), and goat rearing (60.6%)) were widespread, indicating high livelihood diversification. Inferentially, a strong positive and significant relationship existed between non‑farm diversification and involvement in agricultural production (p=0.000). Key constraints included limited access to land (2.94), credit (2.87), and training (2.74). The study concluded that non-farm livelihood diversification is not a distraction from agriculture but a strategic complement that strengthens youth engagement in agricultural value chains and thus recommends youth‑friendly land allocation, targeted credit schemes, strengthened extension and cooperative support, rural infrastructure investment, vocational training, and market‑linkage interventions to enhance youth engagement in profitable agricultural value chains and stimulate rural economic development.