Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) for Youth Employment in Agribusiness in Ibadan

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) remain the viable solution to challenges faced in agriculture and agribusiness through innovations targeted to improve crop yield, value chain processes, and access to market information and creating employment opportunities in the process. In many developing countries especially Sub-Sahara Africa, minimal deployment of ICTs for agricultural production is seen and this has resulted to poor yield, low income for farmers and limited job opportunities. Although, majority of youths see agriculture and agribusiness as a sector not meant for them, this narrative could be changed if their skill and access to ICTs could be harnessed to contribute to the agricultural and agribusiness sector thereby providing real-time employment in the process. This study seeks to identify the levels of ICT skills of youth agripreneurs, investigate the ICT innovations currently being deployed and necessary to improve agribusiness, the extent of youth involvement and investigate dimensions to youth employment in agribusiness. Primary data were collected through an online survey and structured questionnaires. Young people currently involved in agribusiness were interviewed individually to gain insight on the current use of ICT and factors contributing to youth involvement were investigated. Data analysis was done using SPSS to draw inferences and develop policy briefs to provide insights into discoveries of the research and to encourage youth engagement in agribusiness and other rural economic activities. Findings suggest that ICT is currently being deployed for some agribusiness activities but on a very minimal scale. The main conclusion of the study is that in order to increase food security and provide job opportunities for young people, an increase in the uptake and deployment of ICT innovations for agribusiness needs to be encouraged.