The evaluation of the role of education and youth involvement in sustainable livestock production in southwestern Nigeria

B.Ed. Ibrahim Olamilekan Odetola

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

Abstract The purpose of this study is to evaluate the roles that education and youth involvement play in enhancing sustainable livestock productivity in Southwestern Nigeria. At a time like this, when agriculture is viewed by most youth as outdated or unappealing, this study offers new insight into how education and youth engagement can ignite youth interest and innovation in livestock farming. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, gathering data from 150 youth respondents and conducted 12 interviews with key stakeholders, including youth leaders, teachers, livestock farmers association representative and ministry of agriculture representative. Qualitative responses from the interview were examine thematically while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and binary probit model to test the hypotheses. The result shows that there is a significant link between access to agricultural and the adoption of sustainable livestock practices. However, despite this link it was discovered that many young people remain excluded due to lack of funding, illiteracy, restricted access to land, and old cultural views like farming to poverty or old age career. The study revealed that youth with formal livestock education are significantly more likely to adopt sustainable livestock practices. It also shows that young women and those with tertiary education are less likely to participate in livestock farming. It is affirmed that while financial constraints still exist, cooperatives, mentoring programs and school-based agricultural initiatives have shown to be successful tools in influencing youth perceptions and increasing involvement in sustainable livestock production. The study concludes that a comprehensive, youth-inclusive approach combining education, policy support, funding, and mentorship is essential for achieving youth participation in sustainable livestock productivity. These findings provide practical recommendations for agricultural stakeholders, policymakers, teachers and administrators working to equip and empower the next generation of sustainable livestock farmers in Nigeria.

Keywords

cooperative, gender and agriculture, Agricultural education

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 27. 4. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 6. 6. 2025
• Vedoucí: Ing. Tereza Pilařová, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Samuel Ahado, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Magisterský studijní program:
Tropical Farming Systems