Evaluation of Youth Agricultural Enterprise Development Programmes in Ekiti State

This study evaluates the effectiveness of youth agricultural enterprise development programmes in Ekiti State, South West Nigeria. Engaging young people in commercially oriented agricultural enterprises is a priority strategy for addressing youth unemployment while reinvigorating Nigeria's agricultural sector. Ekiti State has implemented several youth agribusiness schemes including the O-YES Agricultural Programme and federal government Youth Empowerment Schemes targeting young farmers in the state. This study uses a mixed-method evaluation design, combining a survey of 180 youth programme beneficiaries in Ado-Ekiti, Ikole, and Efon local government areas with qualitative interviews of 20 programme managers and agricultural development officials. Programme effectiveness is assessed using enterprise establishment rates, revenue generation, employment creation, and programme sustainability indicators. Findings reveal that 63 percent of beneficiaries established functioning agricultural enterprises within 12 months of programme completion, primarily in poultry, vegetables, and cassava processing. However, enterprise survival at 24 months drops to 41 percent, with access to working capital and market linkages identified as the primary enterprise mortality drivers. Beneficiaries who received post-programme mentoring show significantly higher survival rates. The study concludes that youth agricultural enterprise programmes in Ekiti State show promising initial outcomes but require stronger post-programme support systems. It recommends mandatory post-programme mentoring and revolving enterprise development fund access for graduates.

Keywords: youth agribusiness, enterprise development, Ekiti State, agricultural programmes, youth employment.