Assessment of Youth Participation in Agribusiness Enterprises in Oyo State, South West Nigeria

Youth disengagement from agriculture represents a growing structural challenge for food systems across sub-Saharan Africa, with significant implications for future agricultural workforce composition. In Oyo State, government and development partner programmes have sought to encourage youth participation in agribusiness enterprises, yet systematic assessment of participation drivers and barriers remains limited. This study assessed youth participation in agribusiness enterprises in Oyo State. A cross-sectional survey of 112 young people aged between 18 and 35 years from four local government areas was conducted using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Data captured enterprise participation, motivations, constraints, income outcomes, and access to support services. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were employed. Results revealed that approximately 47 percent of respondents were actively engaged in at least one agribusiness activity, with poultry production, vegetable marketing, and cassava processing being the most common enterprises. Access to start-up capital, mentorship, and market linkages were the strongest predictors of active participation. Land access limitations and negative perceptions of agriculture as a low-status occupation were the leading barriers. The study recommends strengthening youth-focused agribusiness incubation programmes, expanding access to agricultural development finance, and integrating agribusiness entrepreneurship into tertiary and secondary school curricula. Keywords: youth participation, agribusiness, Oyo State, entrepreneurship, agricultural development.