Agricutural entrepreneurship among the youth: The case of youth involvement in rabbit production in Nigeria

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine agripreneurship among youths. Specifically, the study investigates the motivating factors for agripreneurship development among youths, examine the profitability of rabbit production among youth agripreneurs and identified the constraints faced in rabbit production. Research Design & Methods: One hundred and twenty youth agripreneurs involved in rabbit production were selected using the snowball sampling technique and data were collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, cost and return analysis (gross margin analysis, net profit, operating ratio and return to capital invested) and Likert rating scale were means of analysing the data. Findings: The study revealed that the majority of the youth agripreneurs were males (76.7%), single (85.8%) and obtained their capital from personal savings (87.5%). The important factors motivating agripreneurship development among youth were a quest to acquire personal wealth, to boost income, to achieve what one wants to have in life, to be financially independent, to be self-employed, for personal satisfaction and growth, for high self-esteem, desire to do a new thing and to contribute to their household income and needs. Furthermore, rabbit production among the youth agripreneur was profitable with a net profit of 339,193.56 NGN (826.21 USD), an operating ratio of 23% and a return on capital invested of 3.41. The major constraints faced by the youth agripreneur in rabbit production were lack of government support, poor extension contacts, inadequate credit facilities and diseases outbreak. Implications & Recommendations: This study calls for governments and Non-Governmental Organizations to support and encourage youths to participate more in agripreneurship through the provision of credits and production inputs for profit maximization and cheap protein availability. Contribution & Value Added: This study contributes to entrepreneurship literature by focusing on agripreneurship by youth in a view to enhance more participation in agripreneurship.