Determinants of youth participation in tomato production and marketing in Mukono District

Abstract

This study sought to establish the determinants of youth participation in tomato production and marketing in Mukono district, Uganda. It was guided by the following objectives: To assess the influence of productivity, socio-economic and institutional factors on youth participation in tomato production and marketing in Mukono district. The purpose of the study is therefore to assess and document the most important socio-economic and institutional factors that influence tomato production, and marketing in Mukono district. In addition to this, it would commit the government to fulfilling its national obligations in development of the youth in relation to the National development plan, the Uganda constitution and Vision 2040. This study employed a descriptive survey design, as it is focused on collecting data to explore, find out and explain the determinants of youth participation in tomato production and marketing in Mukono district. The sample size of this study was 50 respondents. Primary data was collected by administering a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data. The study found that economic factors such as inadequate land limited youth participation in tomato production and marketing in Mukono district. Further, majority of the youth indicated that they participated in production due to drop out of school. Access to credit had minimal effects on youth participation. The study recommends that the local government should assist in creating ready markets and facilitating linkages to other markets, for agricultural produce, this will encourage the youth to participate in farming activities since they are assured of making sales and increasing their profits which will contribute to employment, improved income and household food security.