Role Of Youths In Food Security In Ikeduru Local Governmnent Area Of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the role of youths in food security emphasizing the importance of all population strata especially the youths in food production and distribution. Questionnaire was used to collect the primary data from 100 respondents in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state. Role was measured by the level of involvement I the various food security activities. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean values and APBS framework. Results obtained showed that majority (52%) of the respondents were male; 56% were married and 66% were engaged in farming, which includes those in livestock and crop production activities. Level of involvement in food production activities were high in maize (77%), vegetable (77%), cassava (68%) and Poultry (77%) while level of distribution activities were low in garri (30%) and table egg (40%) and very low in fufu, yam tubers, processed maize, vegetable, frozen meat and live pigs. Serious constraints militating against youths\' role in food security activities were identified by the respondents to include; insufficient farmland (1.5), stiff competition from other farmers (1.0), insufficient farm implement (1.2), insufficient labour (1.2), inadequate funds/credit (1.4), lack of storage facilities (1.0), poor public power/electricity supply (1.1) and lack of trainings on farm practices (1.3) were serious problems faced by youths in the performance of their roles in food security. The roles of youths who are the most active demographic group and vanguard of national development can be improved upon if the problems identified by them could be addressed. Keywords: Youths, food securityGlobal Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 36-41