FACTORS INFLUENCING YOUTHS’ UTILIZATION OF UNDERUTILIZED INDIGENOUS VEGETABLE INNOVATIONS AS A LIVELIHOOD STRATEGY IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Underutilized indigenous vegetables (UIVs) play a highly significant role in food security, employment creation and income generation for the youth in both urban and rural settings in fighting against poverty and hunger. However, certain factors are responsible for youths’ utilization of these innovations in producing these vegetables. The study therefore, focused on factors influencing youths’ utilization of UIV innovation as a sustainable liveli hood strategy in Southwestern Nigeria. A multistage stage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents. Data were gathered through structured interview schedule from 155 youths between the age of eighteen to forty years. Data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive statistical tools while factor analysis was used to isolate crucial factors influencing youths’ utilization of UIV innovations. The result showed that the respondents had a mean age of 28.3 years while above half (52.9% and 58.1%) were male and single, respectively. The mean annual income from vegetable production was $ 305.81 with the mean farm size of 0.8 ha. Further results indicated that site selection, marketing and storage were the major UIV innovations utilized by the respondents. Majority (68.4%) utilized UIV innovations at moderate level. Educational, experience, economic benefit, institutional sup port and community factors were the crucial factors influencing youth utilization of UIVs innovations. Relevant stakeholders should promote utilization of UIV innovations among young farmers as a sustainable livelihood strategy.