EFFECTS OF INNOVATION-DRIVEN AGRICULTURAL TRAINING ON EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AMONG YOUTHS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Despite several government measures to promote business and agricultural growth, youth unemployment remains a major socioeconomic concern in Nigeria. Innovation-driven agricultural training is increasingly seen as a viable approach to equipping young people with the technical, entrepreneurial, and technological skills required for long-term employment generation. This study examined the impact of innovation-driven agricultural training on job creation among youth in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study examined how selected socioeconomic and programme-related factors, such as age, gender, educational attainment, training session attendance, access to credit, and farming experience, affect employment generation among youth participating in agricultural innovation programmes. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. A hypothetical sample of 400 teenagers who participated in innovation-driven agricultural training programmes was selected using multistage sampling. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Tobit regression. The study found that age (β = 0.041, p < 0.05), gender (β = 0.284, p < 0.05), educational attainment (β = 0.072, p < 0.01), training session attendance (β = 0.198, p < 0.01), credit access (β = 0.467, p < 0.01), and farming experience (β = 0.091, p < 0.01) all had a significant impact on youth employment generation. Training participation and finance availability were revealed as the most important variables. The study shows that innovative agricultural training, when combined with financial inclusion, educational advancement, and practical farming experience, greatly increases young employment. To maximise employment outcomes, the report advises increasing youth-oriented agricultural training programmes, improving access to agricultural finance, and expanding innovation support systems.