Agricultural Entrepreneurship Awareness: Paving The Way for Agricultural Diversification in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relevance of agricultural entrepreneurship awareness in boosting agricultural diversification in Nigeria. Four states were purposively selected from each geopolitical zone, five local government areas were chosen from each state and ten respondents were randomly chosen from each LGA. Thus, a sample size of one thousand two hundred (1,200) respondents were used for the study. Three specific objectives were set for the study while relevant data were gathered with the aid of a structure questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean and a 3-point Likert rating scale were used for data analysis and interpretation. Findings show that value addition to farm produce (mean = 2.6), agricultural processing and packaging (mean= 2.5), organic farming and sustainable agriculture (mean= 2.6), and agricultural technology startups (mean= 2.6) were popular types of agricultural entrepreneurship in the study area. Limited access to credit and financing, lack of basic utilities, lack of access to agricultural information, low bargaining power, susceptibility to abrupt economic shocks, official corruption in the agricultural sector and existence of market-related hazards were the challenges facing agricultural entrepreneurship in the study area. The results further revealed that agricultural entrepreneurship is important in agricultural diversification, production of agricultural inputs, agricultural value chain, preservation-processing-packaging of farm produce, production-leasing of agricultural equipment, maintaining industrial growth, reducing rural-to-urban migration and generation of job opportunities. Thus, government should establish training centres in favour of agricultural entrepreneurs for acquisition of relevant skills in the different areas of the agricultural industry.