APPROACHES FOR ENHANCING YOUTHS' EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined approaches for enhancing youths’ employment in agricultural entrepreneurship for sustainable livelihood in Abia State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions and hypotheses. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. The population of the study was 508, comprising 384 Agricultural Science teachers and 124 Agricultural Extension Agents. The sample of the study was 226, comprising 171 Agricultural Science teachers and 55 Agricultural Extension Agents selected using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire validated by three experts, and the overall reliability coefficient was 0.84. Data collected was analysed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistic to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed, among others, that the approaches for enhancing youths’ employment in agricultural entrepreneurship include educational reforms, policy support, and awareness creation, such as revamping the curriculum to align with modern agricultural practices. Based on the findings, it was recommended that there is a need for the government at all levels, including institutions and international organizations, to join hands in reforming education in Nigeria for enhancing youths’ employment in agricultural entrepreneurship for sustainable livelihood in Abia State