Influence of the youth enterprise development fund(YEDF) loans and services on youth participation in agribusiness in Nakuru County Kenya

Abstract

Agriculture is the foundation of many global civilizations. It is a crucial sector that fuels the development of nations worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. 60% of the Kenyan population is comprised of young people, of which 40% are unemployed. Kenyans derive more than 80 percent of their employment and livelihood opportunities from agriculture. The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Fund (YEDF) is one such initiative. Despite the Fund‘s availability, youth involvement in agribusiness has remained negligible. This study aimed to detennine the factors that influence adolescent involvement in agribusiness in Nakuru County, Kenya. The investigation focused on the enterprise categories among YEDF recipients, the loans obtained, training programmes, agricultural extension services available to youth, and YEDF recipient services. The investigation employed a descriptive survey design. The investigation targeted 1,800 adolescents, 48 agricultural extension officers, and YEDF officers. 817 YEDF recipients constituted the study’s population, along with six agricultural extension officers and six YEDF officers. Using stratified random sampling, six of the eleven constituencies in Nakuru County were sampled. Two hundred sixty-nine adolescents were selected at random from the six constituencies. From each of the six randomly selected constituencies, two extension employees and YEDF officers were selected as key informants, for a total of 12 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect information. Cronbach test was used to test the reliability of the research instruments and coefficients that Were above 0.70 were used for the study. Prior to data collection, pilot study was conducted to validate the instrument, and it was successful. The data were analyzed using straightfoiward linear regression. The results indicated that livestock production was the most prevalent enterprise among Nakuru‘s adolescents. Significant impact of YEDF loans (=-.581, p=.00l), training programs ( =.898, p=.00l), service programs (=-.351, p=.00l), and agricultural extension services (=.798, p=.0Ol).The conclusion of the study is that the majority of YEDF beneficiaries in Nakuru County are engaged in livestock production. Youth involvement in agribusiness is significantly and positively influenced by YEDF loans. Training programs for YEDF recipients have a positive effect on adolescent involvement in agribusiness. The influence of agricultural extension services on adolescent participation in agribusiness is positive. Youth participation in agribusiness is significantly impacted by YEDF's services. The study suggests that more information be provided to young people about agribusiness opportunities, YEDF financing, trainings, agricultural extension services, and YEDF services.