Psychological and Structural Predictors of Agripreneurship among Nigerian Youth

Abstract

This study assessed the psychological and structural determinants of agripreneurship intention and behavior among youth in Nigeria. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing a modified purposive-snowball sampling to identify and interview seven distinguished successful young agripreneurs across Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano Sates. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method and reflexive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that youth aspirations are driven by a desire for wealth and high status. Motivation for engagement stems largely from formal education, family background, and favorable conditions. Conversely, participation is hindered by policies and sociocultural barriers, land tenure systems. Notably, successful engagement was found to fulfill participants' aspirations for self-reliance and community prestige, with several informants emerging as opinion leaders.  The study concluded that level of education, family economic status and environment served as motivators for youth engagement in agripreneurship. Whereas, policy and sociocultural issues discouraged the youth to engage in agripreneurship. It was recommended that, to address the critical challenges of inconsistent government policies and the frequent lack of policy continuity in the agricultural sector, a structural, legislative, and institutional overhaul is required.