Assessment of Factors Militating against Youth Participation in Fadama Ng-Cares in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

The study examined the factors militating against youth participation in FADAMA NG-CARES program in Gwagwalada Area Council. The study was conducted in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja. Four objectives guided this study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Random sampling technique was employed to select the youth from the study area. The sample size of the study was 100 youth participating in FADAMA NG-CARES program in Gwagwalada which was randomly selected. Primary data were used for the study; the data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire administered to the respondents by the researcher. The questionnaire was designed to capture questions related to all the objectives of the study. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage. Results from the finding of the study revealed that the major constraints hindering youths’ participation in FADAMA NG-CARES program were identified, as 50 percent 0f the respondents Agree that lack of Awareness is a factor that can hinder youth from participating in the FADAMA NG-CARES program. Majority 56 percent of the respondents also Agree that lack of trust in a program can hinder the participation of youth, and also 43 percent of the respondents agree that Socio-cultural constraint can also hinder the participation of youth. From the research it was recommended that there should be creation of awareness which will convey the knowledge and skills that will contribute to alleviating poverty, changing livelihoods, improve environment and having a positive effect on FADAMA NG-CARES program. Government should provide access to information and resources which will empower the youth to obtain information held by the program bodies.

Africa has the highest proportion of people living in extreme poverty, comprising about 413.3 million in 2015 (United Nation, 2015). The high rate of population growth has led to a rising in unemployment rate, especially among young people. Unemployment is considered a major cause of poverty. In developing countries, the situation is reverse, with a significant reliance on agriculture and a limited budget that prevents large-scale spending. Agriculture contributes 35% to global employment compare to 86.8% in Africa, according to the international labor organization making agriculture the foundation of Africa’s economy. The need for jobs is especially acute when large numbers of younger people enter the labor market and are seeking for employment. Nigeria has a huge and expanding youth population, yet there has been little formal employment creation (Brooks et al., 2013; Haruna et al, 2023). 

The National Fadama Development Project (NFDP) was categorized into three phases. The first one came into limelight in 1992-1998, where only six states called the core states benefited, though the world bank assessment report revealed certain flaws such as downstream market activities and processing mechanisms that hampered the program, however, in spite of such challenges, the project was recorded as satisfactory and successful and it is as a result of these, the federal government confronted the world bank through the international development assistance for support in expansion of the project. The second phase came into the national fold in 2004-2009, comprising of only 12 states in the country and phase three came into existence in 2009-2013 comprising of all the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja (NFDP, 2013; Dokubo, et al., 2023).  According to ILO, FAO, IFAD and WHO (2020), the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a dramatic lack of human existence global and offers an exceptional mission to public health, meals structures and the sector of work. The financial and social disruption as a result of the pandemic is devastating: tens of hundreds of thousands of human beings are vulnerable to falling into intense poverty, at the same time as the variety of undernourished people. The pandemic has been affecting the complete meals intake and has laid naked its fragility (Achukwu, et al. 2023). 

The NG-CARES programme seeks to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 disaster at the livelihoods of poor individuals, farmers, inclined households, groups and proprietors of micro and small enterprises. The economic tool is Programme for Result (PforR) on the states and FCT whilst the Federal degree is financed via the Investment Project Financing (IPF). Nigeria has recently realized that agriculture is a major pillar of its economy and that there is a strong link between agricultural development and the country's capacity to meet its food security goals (Egboduku, Sennuga and Okpala, 2021). Agriculture is an important sector for the economic sustainability and social well-being of all developing countries across the globe Alawa, (Ajigo, Unimna, Udie, and Adie 2020). The elders’ agricultural productivity level cannot meet the speedily growing population’s food and fibre needs (Kwenye and Sichone, 2016).

The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme is an intervention that is constructed at the structures of current initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria. These include, Youth Employment and Social Support Operations (YESSO), Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), FADAMA, nation task advent unit PAWECA.NG-CARES Programme is designed to repair the livelihoods of the negative and vulnerable, preserving food security, and facilitating healing of MSEs are some of the key objectives set out in the Government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) to respond to the current economic crisis in Nigeria (Angelica et al., 2023). The Government of Nigeria has proposed bold measures to cushion the bad and susceptible towards the terrible effect of the crisis (Adeyemi et al., 2023).  Youth participation in agricultural programmes is critical for a country’s economic progress, youth also confront extra socioeconomic constraints that limit their participation in agriculture. Parents dissuade their children from pursuing farming careers and opting for white-collar professions that are perceived to offer higher economic returns and less risk element are example of such impediments. It has been noted that for agricultural sector to create jobs for large number of young people, the constraints must be minimized (Filmer and Fox 2014; Callister, et al., 2023). 

Youth are vital resources for any country, particularly in terms of maintaining agricultural output and programmes, which is a crucial area for development. The youth are important participants in the development process, especially given their strengths of resilience, ingenuity, and perseverance. Adolescence is commonly thought of as the period during which young people shift from childhood to adulthood, grow sexually, and gain increased social and economic autonomy (Achagwa et al., 2023).  It can also be viewed as a historically and culturally formed social category. As a result, social or cultural 'events' that are thought to signify the shift from childhood to 'young hood' to adulthood may exist. According to the United Nations General Assembly, "youth are persons between the ages of 15 and 24 inclusive". "The period of a person's life between childhood and adulthood, between the ages of 13 and 18," according to the World Bank. The annual increase in youth unemployment rate in Nigeria is so appalling. Hundreds of thousands of university graduates are produced each year in the labor market where there is little or no market (Maisule et al., 2023).

Youth participation in agricultural programmes is low, despite the fact that this group is the most productive in any community since it includes people at the peak of their physical and mental development. Agriculture, being one of the fundamental pillars of any civilization, can only thrive if the lack of young participation is addressed. Youth with dynamism and adaptability have the potential to be agents of positive change, and development programs should assure this. It disheartens that a lot of young college and university graduates left the shores of Nigeria only to be engaged by strangers in cultivating plantations in foreign lands as a mean of livelihood (Ayeni et al., 2023). According to Sati et al., (2023) the shame of their discovery and the inability to raise adequate funds with which they would return home eventually keep them in long servitude abroad. Conversely, expatriates are here establishing agro allied ventures and making their million-dollar rewards fast here in Nigeria. Hence, correcting the anomaly is so imperative.  Man is a living being, and life cannot exist without something to keep it alive. Food is necessary for life. The problems going to militate Gwagwalada area council, when the youth do not participate in agricultural programs cannot be overstated. New problems will be found daily in addition to old ones. As a result, the attitude requirements must be considered. With reference to past studies on factors militating against youth participation in Agricultural programs (FADAMA N-CARES program). This study therefore focused on the factors militating against youth participation in FADAMA NG-CARES program in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

The specific objectives are to:

1. describe the socio-economic characteristics of youth in the study area.
2. identify the major factors militating against youths' participation in fadama ng-cares program in the study area.
3. determine the level of youths’ participation in Fadama ng-cares program in the study area
4. to suggest possible solutions that will motivate the youths to participate actively in fadama ng-cares program in the study area.

This Research was conducted in Gwagwalada Area Council. Gwagwalada is a local government in Nigeria's, Federal Capital Territory. The principal city Area Council, Gwagwalada, has an area of 1,043 k and a population of 157,770 people according to the 2006 census. Gwagwalada was part of the Kwali District of the previous Abuja emirate, now Suleja emirate, prior to the formation of the Federal Capital Territory. On October 15, 1984, the Gwagwalada Area Council was established. Its official population is 158,618 people. According to the 2006 census, it had a population of 158,618 people. 

The relocation of the Federal Capital Territory's seat of government from Lagos to Abuja in 1992, as well as the recent demolition of illegal structures within the Federal City Center, resulted in a massive influx of people into the Area Council, which is now one of the FCT's fastest growing urban centers. Gwagwalada now has a population of over 1million people. Gwagwalada Area Council, along with Abaji, Kuje, Bwari, and Kwali, is one of the five Local Government Area Councils of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, which also encompasses Abuja. The Executive Chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council is elected by adult suffrage. The Council is made up of ten elected councilors who represent the council's ten wards: Zuba, Ibwa, Dobi, Kutunku, TungaMaje, Gwako, Paikon-kore, Ikwa, Quarters, and Central.

Sample size

For effective coverage, random sampling technique was adopted, where 100 youths were randomly selected from within 5 wards in gwagwalada area council. The youths were randomly selected and interviewed with the use of questionnaires as the survey instrument. Other criteria for individual participants were as follows: age between 18 to 35 years, farming experience, interested in participating, and permanent resident of the community.

Primary data collection was used for this study using a well-structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection through interview; the questionnaires were used to collect information on the objectives of the study. Questionnaires were created in such a way that respondents will have no trouble answering the question. The respondents expresses their choice of response in two different ways by ticking [√] any answer of their choice; Strongly Agree ( ), Agree ( ), Disagree ( ) Strongly Disagree ( ) and Yes ( ), No ( ). Different wards were use in Gwagwalada area council and 20 respondents was selected from each ward without bias cut across different gender age groups, educational background and occupation among other socio-economic parameters. The key themes in the survey included socio-economic characteristics of the youth, marital status, occupation, level of education, type of farming and year of experience in farming.

Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Youths Participation

The result in table 1 shows that 68.0% are male and 32.0% are female respectively. The sex of an individual can influence the type and quality of work carried out by the individual. The results obtained showed that there is more male respondent in the area than females. Male youth’s domination in FADAMA N-CARES program farming is in line with findings from earlier studies Afolabi, (2010) which was attributed to the fact that female youths cannot cope with the activities of Fadama.

This result in table 1also show that 8% of respondents are between the age range of 18-20 years of age, 29.0% are within the age range of 21-23 years of age, 22.0% are within the range of 24-26 years of age, 14.0% of the respondents are within the age range of 27-29 years of age, 14% of the respondent are also within the age range of 30-32 while 13% are within the age range of 33-35 years of age. This result goes in line with United Nation (2009) definition of youth which says youth are persons between the ages of 15 and 24 inclusive. This result explains that there are more active engagers within the age range of 21-23, while there are less engagers within the age range of 33-35.  The result below shows that 53% of the respondents are single, 41% are married, while the rest 6% are divorce. The result suggests the dominance of single youths in Agricultural program, the result goes in line with Ashaolu, Afolabi and Olaniyi (2015) research which argued that physical, psychological, emotional and economic needs vary across individuals and it depends largely on their marital status.

This result below shows that 24% of the youths are into farming, 26% are into business, 12% are working in government offices (civil servant) while the remaining 38% are students. The exposure of agricultural studies at secondary and tertiary level could influence youth’s intention to participate in agriculture. This will expose students to the full range of career options in the agricultural sector at earlier stages. This result implies that student participate more in the program than others in the study area.  This result in table 2 shows that 15% of the youths attain primary education, 33% attain secondary, while 49% attain tertiary institution and 3 percent falls in the category of others (i.e no education). This implies that there is an increase in awareness of the benefits and advantage of partaking in the program as the youths grow older and gain more knowledge. The result further suggests that majority of the respondents were literate and this can enhance their participation in the program. Farmers with formal educational qualifications are more likely to participate in Agricultural programs more than those without or with little educational qualifications. Educational level plays a good role in the participating in new and innovative program and undertaking risk.

This result shows that 61% of the youth practice subsistence farming while 39% practice commercial farming. This result agrees with the finding of Chinyere (2017) who posited that, there is greater need of subsistence farming in the urban areas, where families can indulge in fishery, domestic snails, planting of flowers and the likes and in the end, transactions can be made among these families leading to a rise in the standard of living, increase in savings and the long run, an increase in the gross domestic product. This result implies that, Youth in agriculture and food production play an important role in addressing unemployment and food security. This result further reveals that 48% of the respondents have 1-5years of experience, while 34% have 6-10years of experience, and 18% have 11-15years of experience. Farming experience tends to be constrained by the rural environment and has a solidifying effect on their cognitive thinking and behavioral performance, which may reduce their preference for venture capital and have a negative effect on their personal and economic behavior. This result implies that there are more young respondents practicing agriculture and those with 11-15 years of experience are lesser probably the older people have left the rural areas after making enough for themselves or still searching for white collar job.

Table 1:Socio-Economic Characteristic of the respondents.

Source: Field Survey, 2023

Factors militating against youth participation in Fadama N-Cares program

The results in Table 2 shows that 1.0% of the respondents disagree that lack of awareness cannot be a factor that can stop youth from participating in FADAMA N-CARES program, while 50.0% agrees that indeed lack of awareness can militate against youth participation in FADAMA NG-CARES program. This implies that the majority of the respondent’s belief in the ideology that lack of awareness can militate against youth participation in the program.  Also, the results shows that 5.0% of the respondents strongly disagree that lack of trust cannot be a factor that can hinder a youth from participating in the program, while 56.0% agree that lack of trust in a program could be a factor that can stop a youth from participating in a program, this implies that trust is a very important factor in making or breaking of success in Agricultural programs.

The result also shown that 14.0% of the respondent strongly disagree that socio-cultural constraint cannot be a factor that could hinder a youth from participating in FADAMA N-CARES program, while 43.0% agree that socio-cultural constraint can hinder the participation of youth participating in FADAMA N-CARES program. Using the female northerners as examples, their husband might not allow them to associate themselves with other men, these can hinder their participation in FADAMA N-CARES program, and this implies that socio-cultural constraint affect participation in the program.  The result in table 5 also reveal that 7.0% of the respondents strongly disagree that limited access to information and resources cannot hinder participation in a program, while 46.0% of the respondent agree that limited access to information could militate against youth participation in FADAMA N-CARES program. 

The result further reveals that 5.0% of the respondent strongly disagree that negative perception of agriculture cannot be a factor hindering the participation of youth in FADAMA N-CARES program, while 52.0% of the respondent strongly agree that negative perception of agriculture can be a factor that can militate youth participation in FADAMA N-CARES program. According to Linan, Santos, and Fanandez (2011), individual decide to start an activity if it is perceived to be more desirable and feasible than other alternatives, this implies that perception play an important role in influencing the interests of youth.  The result in table 5 further reveal that 4.0% of the respondent disagree that financial constraint cannot hinder the participation of youth in the program, while 49.0% of the respondent strongly agree that financial constraint affect youth participation in FADAMA N-CARES program.

The result further reveals that 10.0% of the respondent strongly disagree that political interference cannot hinder the participation of youth in FADAMA N-CARES program, 46.0% agree that political interference can hinder the youth participation while 26.0% strongly agree that political interference can militate against youth participation in FADAMA N-CARES program.  The result in table 5 further show that 7.0% the respondent disagree that limited educational and technical skill cannot hinder the participation of youth in FADAMA N-CARES program, while 50.0 percent of the respondent agree that limited education and technical skills can hinder the participation of youth in the program. It implies that there is a slim difference in opinion between respondents as there are people currently doing well economically in agricultural programs with little to no education as well as individuals who are well educated and also participating intensely in programs (Sennuga, et al., 2023).

The result also reveals that 13.0 respondent strongly agree that spouse restriction would affect participation in FADAMA N-CARE program, while 33.0% strongly disagree to it. This result implies that spouse restriction doesn’t affect participation in FADAMA N-CARES program, both genders have roles or parts to play in the program.  The result further reveals that 15.0% of the respondent disagree that lack of access to venue cannot hinder participation of youth in the program while 42.0% of the respondents agree that lack of access to the venue can hinder the youth from participating. It implies that, if there is no conducive venue or environment for the program or the venue is too far to the participant resident, this would hinder or stop the participant from participating in the program.

Table 2:Factors Militating Against Youth Participation in Fadama Ng-Cares Program.

Source: Field Survey, 2023

Level of Youth Participation in Fadama N-Cares Program

For the information on the level of youth participation in FADAMA N-CARE program in the study area. Table 6 result show that 43.0% of the respondents are aware of the program, while 57.0% are not aware of the program. It also reveals that 31.0% of the respondents are participating in the program, while 69.0% of the respondents are not participating in the program. The result also shows that 37.0% of the respondents have access to the information and resources, while 63.0% did not have access to information and resources. The result further reveals that 42.0% of the respondent have receive training on the program, while 58.0% have not receive any training on the program. The result also reveals that 59.0% of the respondent responded that; No financial constraint can prevent or hinder them from participating in the program in future, while 41.0% responded that; financial constraint would hinder them from participating in the program in future. The result further shows that 34.0% of the respondent reveal that the program has impacted in their livelihood, while 66.0% reveal that the program hasn’t impacted in their livelihood. The result future reveal that 84.0% of the respondents are interested in participating in the program in future, while 16.0% of the respondents are not interested or willing to participate. The result also shows that 33.0 the respondents responded that there are political or socio-cultural factors that may prevent them from participating in the program, while 67.0% reveal that there are no political or socio-cultural factors that may prevent them from participating in the program. This reveals that majority of the respondents or youths in the area are not aware of FADAMA N-CARES program, as a result creating awareness about youth program will help young people see agriculture as a potential career.

Table 3: Level of Youth Participation in Fadama Ng-Cares Program

Source: Field Survey, 2023

Solution that can Motivate the Youth to Participate in Fadama N-Cares Program

For the information on the possible solution that can motivate the youths to participate in FADAMA NG-CARE program in the study area. The result in Table 7 shows that 4.0% of the respondents strongly disagree that Raise of Awareness cannot be a possible solution, and none of the respondents disagree to it, while 72.0% of the respondents strongly agree that raise of awareness can be a possible solution to motivate the youth to participate in FADAMA NG-CARE program. This implies that raise of awareness plays a vital role in participating in a program. 

The result also shows that 1.0% of the respondents disagree that improving access to information and resources cannot be a possible solution, while 49.0% agree that improving access to information and resources will motivate youth to participate in FADAMA NG-CARES program. This implies that, with improve access to information and resources, the youth and the public will be equipped to engage in a knowledgeable manner with public decision-makers, and have their rightful say in the development of the program.

The result in table 4 also reveals that 2.0% of the respondents disagree increasing access to credits and other financial resources cannot motivate the youth to participate in the program, while 54.0% of the respondents strongly agree that increasing access to credit and other financial resources would motivate the youth to participate in FADAMA NG-CARES program. Thus, implies that if the youths in the study area see an increase in the productivity of the program, they will be encouraged to engage in the program.  The result further reveals that 1.0% of the respondents disagree to the option that promoting positive perception towards agriculture would not motivate the youth to participate, while 50.0% agree that promoting positive perception towards agriculture would motivate the youth to participate in FADAMA NG-CARES program. This implies that it is important to have a holistic perspective of the program so as to better understand the available opportunities that the youth can exploit.

The result also reveals that 3.0% of respondent disagree that Transparency and accountability in the program cannot motivate the youth to participate in FADAMA NG-CARES program, and 44.0% of the respondents agree, while 47.0% of the respondents strongly agree that Transparency and accountability in the program will motivate the youth to participate in the program. It implies that there is a slim difference in opinion between respondents. The result further reveals that 4.0% of respondent disagree that encouraging the community ownership won’t motivate the youth to participate, while 51.0% of the respondent agree that encouraging the community ownership will encourage the youth also to participate in FADAMA NG-CARES program. This implies that encouraging the community ownership to participate in the program will not be easy, however, unless those involved can see positive gains in doing so.

Table 4: Possible Solution That Can Motivate the Youths to Participate actively in Fadama Ng-Cares Program.

Source: Field Survey, 2023

The result further reveals that 1.0% of the respondent disagree that Create incentives won’t motivate the youths to participate in FADAMA NG-CARES program, 40.0% strongly agree that creating incentives will motivate the youths, while 52.0% of the respondent agree that creating incentives will motivate the youth to participate in the FADAMA NG-CARES program. It implies that creating incentives will go a long way in motivating the youth to participate actively in the FADAMA NG-CARES program.  The result also shows that 6.0% of the respondents disagree that creating networking opportunities won’t motivate the participation of youth in the program, while 53.0% of the respondent agree that creating of networking opportunity will motivate the youth to participate actively in FADAMA NG-CARES program.

The result further reveals that 2.0% of the respondents disagree that developing educational and technical skills won’t motivate the youths to participate in the program, while 55.0% of the respondents strongly agree that developing educational and technical skills will motivate the youths to participate actively in the program. This implies that enhancement of youth’s knowledge of basic agricultural program through the establishment of new agricultural program and the strengthening of existing ones.  The table further reveals that 10.0% of the respondents strongly disagree that provision of venue for the program within the area will not motivate the youths to participate in the program, 42.0% of the agree, while 48.0% of the respondents strongly agree that providing a venue for the program within the area will motivate the youth to participate in the program. This implies that the youth will participate in FADAMA NG-CARES program if located within the area.

The problems militating Gwagwalada area council, when the youth do not participate in agricultural programs cannot be overemphasized. This is because new problems will be found daily in addition to old ones. As a result, the attitude requirements must be considered.  Therefore, the identification of factors militating against youth participation in FADAMA NG-CARES is very important. Based on the findings of this study; lack of awareness, lack of access to information and resources, lack of access to credit and other financial resources, lack of educational and technical skills, lack of venue within the area for the program, lack of trust in the program, lack of networking opportunities, lack of incentives, lack of finance has posed as major impediments in the active participation of youth in FADADA NG-CARES program in Gwagwalada area council.

Recommendations

The recommendations stated below are therefore proffered on the finding of this work:

1. There should be creation of awareness which will convey the knowledge and skills that will contribute to alleviating poverty, changing livelihoods, improve environment and having a positive effect on FADAMA NG-CARES program.
2. Government should provide access to information and resources which will empower the youth to obtain information held by the program bodies.
3. Youths should be able to easily access bank loans, and credits facilities for active participation in the program.
4. Government should provide put in more efforts and resources towards developing the educational and technical skills among youth to participate active in the program.
5. There should be a well conducive and easy access to the venue for the program within the study area.
6. There should be provision of networking opportunities which will give opportunity to excel well during participation in the program, because the more effective the networking opportunity is, the more self-confidence the youths will build over time.
7. Government should create incentives which will build engagement among youths to encourage teamwork, boost morale and motivation.
8. Government should provide grants to youth which will serve as support and resources to engage the youths to actively participate in FADAMA N-CARES program.