Potentials of Agricultural Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Economic Self Reliance Among Youths in Benue State

This study evaluates the potential of agricultural entrepreneurship as a catalyst for promoting economic self-reliance among youths in Benue State. Employing a descriptive survey design assessed the level of awareness and understanding of agricultural entrepreneurship, perceived benefits related to economic self-reliance, youths’ perceptions and attitudes towards agricultural entrepreneurship and identified challenges faced by youth entrepreneurs. The study is anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A mixed-method research approach was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative data. The study involved 130 youth who are into agricultural entrepreneurship. The data for study were analyzed using descriptive statistics simple percentages and mean and standard deviation whereby a mean cut-off point of 2.50 was used for decision making. Findings reveal that while there is high level of awareness about agricultural entrepreneurship, many youths possess limited understanding of its full benefits and potential for wealth creation. The perceived advantages include income generation, employment creation, which positively influence their attitudes toward agriculture. However, challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate training, poor infrastructure, and socio-cultural barriers hinder active participation. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance awareness, improve access to resources, and foster supportive social environments factors vital for harnessing agricultural entrepreneurship as a sustainable pathway to economic self-reliance among the youth in Benue State.