Youth in livestock production: Key to the actualization of the agricultural transformation agenda
This article (PDF) in The Journal of Animal Production Research elaborates on the involvement of youth in livestock production as key to the actualization of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in Nigeria. It scrutinizes the socio-economic role of livestock, the state of Nigerians livestock industry, youth involvement in livestock production and the constraints young people face to get involved in livestock production. The authors provide solutions to ensure the active participation of youth in livestock production. For example, young people should have sufficient access to knowledge, information, and education; they should have access to land, adequate financial service and markets; and, they should be involved in policy dialogue. The authors believe that addressing these factors will prove vital to increasing youth’s involvement in the agricultural sector, most especially in the area of livestock production. While the article focuses specifically on the case of Nigeria, the recommendations presented could also apply to other developing countries that struggle with youth unemployment in agriculture and that want to create opportunities for youth in livestock production.