Youths' Involvement in Rice Production in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

The study ascertained the level of youths' involvement in rice production activities in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 80 respondents from Bende Local Government Area rice cluster was purposively selected because of their high level in rice production in the State. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule and were analysed using mean, standard deviation and regression. The study revealed that youths were into land clearing ((x) over bar =2.00), raising of nursery ((x) over bar =2.00), buying and selling of rice seedling ((x) over bar =2.00)and planting of seedling ((x) over bar =2.00). Access to credit (t=-2.57) and number of extensions visit (t=2.46) significantly influenced youths' involvement. Youths were constrained mainly by lack of capital to scale up production ((x) over bar =2.98), poor support from government ((x) over bar =2.73), poor access to improved seedlings ((x) over bar =2.49), high cost of production ((x) over bar =2.34), climatic factors ((x) over bar =2.10)and lack of information on agricultural business opportunities ((x) over bar =2.08). Youths were involved in rice production though, occasioned by lack of access to credit and extension visit. Extension should increase the frequency of visit to at least once in a month to allow for more productive engagement and should expose youths to lucrative opportunities in rice production coupled with linking them to available credit options that can meaningfully support their activities.