Effect of N-Power agro programme on participants agricultural activities in South-West, Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, over 60 per cent of the total population is the youth, two-thirds of which live in rural areas and are poorer, and more often lack access to employment, skills, financial services and technology than adults. As the youth seek what they believe to be profitable and business-focussed careers, it is quite unfortunate that they are increasingly turning away from agriculture. This study examined the effect of N-power Agro Programme (NAP) on the agricultural activities of the participants in South-West Nigeria. Three States were purposively selected: Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States in order to give 
room for geographical spread.  A total of 175 respondents were used for the study. Data from the study were analysed using Descriptive statistics. The results show that in the crop production category, the hectrage of land used for maize cultivation increased by 1.96Ha, cassava cultivation also increased by 1.8Ha while land used for rice cultivation decreased by 3.00Ha after NAP. In the poultry production category, number of birds raised increased by 536 after NAP and in the Aquaculture(Clarias) category,  fish stocking capacity increased by 1600.