Agriculture: A Tool For Alleviating Youth Unemployment In Ikwuano L.G.A

ABSTRACT

This study examined Youth participation in agriculture as a tool for alleviating unemployment among youth in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. Ikwuano, as the study area for this study is made up of 4 clans with an increasing number of autonomous communities which stand of 43 currently. The four clans are Oboro, Anam, Ibere and Oloko. A purposive two stage sampling techniques was used for the study, which gave a total of sixty respondents. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The information collected was summarized in tables using descriptive analysis (like means, frequencies and percentage), the data was analyzed by use of 5 point likert scale and Pearson product moment correlation. The result shows that there exists a week negative relationship between their socio-economic characteristics and their level or extent of participation in Agriculture. The respondents perceived that low capital, lack of improve farming techniques and method, insufficiency of storage equipment, low standard ofliving offanners and lack of government incentives e.t.c, are the major problems youths in this Local Government Area have faced.