DETERMINANTS OF FARM AND NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT CHOICES AMONG RURAL YOUTHS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study determines farm and non-farm employment choices among rural youths in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents from the three Local Government Areas (Ido-Osi, Ijero, and Gbonyin) for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire complimented with an interview schedule. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data collected. Results indicated that majority (76.2%) of the respondents were between the age ranges of 18 – 30 years with a mean age of 27 years, 67.5% were males, while 94.9% of the respondents acquired formal education. Finding further revealed that farming activities practiced by the respondents are: self and wage employment in crop production (31.2% and 5%), animal production (4.2% and 2.5%), fishery (3.3% and 1.7%), collection of forest and non-forest products (3.3% and 0.08%) respectively, while non –farming activities includes; self and waged employment in artisanal works (10.0% and 15.8%), wage employment in civil service (5.8%, ) and other private employment (5.0%), trading (5.0%) among others. The average mean income of the youths realized from both self and waged employment in farm and non – farm activities were ₦11,476.19, ₦31,734.50, and ₦31,963.49, ₦30,250 per month. Based on the findings of the study more income was realized by the youth from non – farming activities compared to farming activities. Among the major factors influencing youth choice of employment are wanted improved standard of living(𝑥̅=2.7), wanted improved income ( 𝑥 ̅= 2.7), personal interest (𝑥̅ = 2.6), return on investment( 𝑥̅= 2.4), quick income( 𝑥̅ = 2.3 ) regularity of income ( 𝑥̅ = 2.3 )Rural youth have favorable perception toward their choice of employment. Furthermore, the result of the t-test (0.570) revealed that there was no significant difference in the income generated from the farm and non-farm activities engaged in by the youths in the study area. Major constraints faced by youths’ engagement in farming activities were energing demanding (𝑥̅ = 3.5), pest and diseases (𝑥̅ = 3.3), lack of incentives from government (𝑥̅ = 3.3) and lack of initial capital (𝑥̅ = 3.0), high cost of inputs (𝑥̅ = 3.0), while that of non – farming activities were low return on investment, poor infrastructure and lack of motivation (𝑥̅ = 2.7), lack of initial capital (𝑥̅ = 2.5) and inadequate credit facility (𝑥̅ = 2.3). Provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and energing saving equipment were recommended to encourage full participation of youths in farming and non - farming activities to improve income generation in the study area.