Determinants of youth involvement in agribusiness projects in Bukasakya subcounty, Mbale district :

Abstract

This study investigated factors influencing youth involvement in agribusiness projects in Bukasakya Sub County, Mbale District. The purpose of the study was to find out the factors influencing youth involvement in agribusiness projects in Bukasakya Sub County, Mbale District. The study sought to find out the influence of credit access, attitude and extension services on youth involvement in agribusiness projects in Bukasakya Sub County, Mbale District. The study is significant since agricultural sector is the back bone to the country’s economy, and particularly a source of livelihood to residents of Bukasakya sub county, Mbale District. The study was conducted through a descriptive survey research design. Data was collected from 151 respondents using questionnaires and interview techniques. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS computer software (Version 20) to generate frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data analysis was done through thematic content analysis. The study employed self- administered questionnaires to 113 youths and four parish chiefs. The number of respondents who were interviewed included 31 parents, 1Sub County chief, 1 agricultural officer and 1 community development officer. The findings revealed that although youth can contribute significantly to socio-economy development through agriculture, they continue to face constraints such as lack of access to credit, lack of career direction in schools and lack of training in growing high quality crops. The study concludes that poor youth involvement in agribusiness projects in Bukasakya Sub County is due to limitation of access to credit, career direction and trainings in growing high quality crops. It is recommended that financial institutions should be flexible with collateral security when lending money to youths. Agriculture being the back bone of Uganda’s economy should be made compulsory subject at all educational institutions and there should be regular trainings on agribusiness projects at all Sub Counties to avert the poor youth involvement in agribusiness projects in Bukasakya Sub County in Mbale District.