Abstract: The survey was conducted in Benue State, Nigeria to assess challenges faced by rural youths in family farming. Questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of eighty (80) respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean score and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics which include factor analysis were used in analyzing data for the study. Results indicate that a greater percentage (75.00%) of the respondents were males, about 98.90% had formal education in school with majority (87.50%) belonging to no formal organization, having a mean farming experience of about 11 years. Major challenges faced by rural youths in family farming were low prices of farm produce (M = 1.69), irregular and untimely supply of farm inputs such as fertilizer, improved seeds, etc (M = 1.61), lack of access to sufficient land for farming (M =1.58), high cost of labour saving technologies (M = 1.55), poor agricultural extension agent-farmer contact (M = 1.55), lack of incentives from government to encourage poor farmers (M = 1.53), among others. The study recommends that rural youths should be encouraged to remain in agriculture through adequate and timely provision of farm inputs such as fertilizer, agro-chemicals, improved varieties of crops as well as labour saving technologies in order to boost productivity. It also highlights that adequate provision of agricultural extension services to the rural youths in family farms remains paramount in order to have access to improved technologies that will enhance greater output thus increasing household income which improves standard of living.
Keywords: Challenges, rural, youths, family, farming, Nigeria.
Title: Assessment of Challenges Faced By Rural Youths in Family Farming in Benue State, Nigeria: Issues for Consideration
Author: Mbah, E.N., Ezeano, C.I., Onwusika, A.I.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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