Factors influencing youth participation in agricultural cooperatives in the semi-arid areas of Kenya a case study of Mwingi, Kitui County
Date
2023
Authors
Mawia, F. K.
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Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Despite the fact that agriculture has a potential of creating jobs for the youth, few young people position themselves for a future in it. In this regard, this study intended to determine factors that influence participation of the youth in agricultural co-operatives in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. As such, the objectives of this research included identifying socio-demographic, economic and institutional variables that inform the youth’s decision to join or not join cooperatives. This study was based on the collective action theory and the humanistic theories. The scope of the research was in Mwingi, Kitui County and intended to adapt descriptive survey research design. Target population was youth (15-35 years old). The targeted population was 243368 and a sample of 400 youth was selected. Out of these 397 responded. Collected data was from both primary sources using questionnaires as the main tool. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied in data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse qualitative data and presented in form of percentages, frequencies standard deviations and weighted means. SPSS was the main software used for analysis. Factors under investigation had considerable influences on youth participation in the cooperatives. This was illustrated by positive and statistically significant relationship between participation of youth in agricultural cooperatives (the dependent variable) and youth’s awareness on the existence of agricultural cooperatives in Kitui County; economic factors influencing youth participation in the cooperatives and institutional factors influencing the involvement of youth in the cooperatives. It can this be deduced that the level to which the youth were aware about cooperatives, perceived that they could obtained economic benefits as well as the institutional attributes of cooperatives affected the membership of the youth to cooperatives. This participation was also segmented differently youth of different socio-demographic characteristics. Enhancing the participation of the youth should thus take cognizance of these factors affecting their participation. In this line, the research recommends that there is for agricultural cooperatives to come up with strong marketing interventions that enhance youth awareness of cooperative societies. This research recommended that frameworks and policies should be put in place to continuously reform cooperatives to enhance their appeal to the youth.
Key words: Agricultural cooperatives, youth, youth participation
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Citation
Mawia, F. K. (2023). Factors influencing youth participation in agricultural cooperatives in the semi-arid areas of Kenya a case study of Mwingi, Kitui County [Strathmore University]. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/13417