Analysis of the Demographic Variables of Youths Involved in the Different Stages of Cassava Value Chain Development Programme in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study assessed the demographic variables and their influence on youths involvement in Cassava Value Chain Development Programme in Anambra State, Nigeria. A Taro Yamane sample size technique was used to calculate 387 respondents. Data was analysed using descriptive and probit model from SPSS version 25. The study determined the demographic variables and examined the variables that influenced their involvement. Findings show that a majority (50.1%) were female, the mean age was approximately 35 years, majority (74.2%) were single, greater proportion (46.3%) had formal education, mean household size was 4 persons, mean extension contact per annum was approximately 5 times, farming experience was approximately 8 years, mean farm size was 3.1 hectares, mean income was ₦251,308.07, and majority (51.7%) had access to credit. Variables that were significant at the supply stage were sex (3.109), age (-0.056), educational level (-0.218), household size (-0.237), and access to credit (1.890), at the 1% level of probability. Marital status (-0.559), farming experience (-0.060), farm size (0.235), and annual income (0.000) were at 5%. At the production stage, sex (0.537), household size (-0.053), and farming experience (0.071) were at 5%. At the harvest stage, sex (2.438), age (0.052), marital status (1.727), household size (0.122), access to credit (-0.852), and annual income (0.000) were at 1%. Farming experience (0.067) and farm size (-0.189) were at 5%. The study concluded that the programme’s aims of engaging youths were met. The study recommended that more youths should join the programme to reduce their dependence on white collar jobs.