Abstract:
Cooperative organizations have important in improving employment opportunity
creation and other socio-economic development in many nations. The paper examined
youth participation in cotton Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives Societies (AMCOS)
for rural employment creation; where youth as the majority of the population were found
to be not interested. Specifically, the paper had two objectives which were; to assess the
perception of youth towards participating in AMCOS and to assess the available
strategies by AMCOS on youth participation in agriculture. The cross sectional design
was adopted, five primary AMCOS was surveyed where members of the AMCOS formed
unit of analysis. The findings indicate that; on perception of youth towards AMCOS
cotton business, youth engagement was found to be determined by the profit earned after
cost of production. Cotton was perceived to be costly among youth as compared to profits
earned. Also, youth were had bad perception on agriculture they are interested in other
business. On the available strategies by AMCOS on youth participation in agriculture;
the possibility to engage youth as members of the AMCOS was among the strategy that
had higher. Also, youth engagement with their parents who are members was found to
have impact in bringing youth on board hence employment creation can be feasible. The
paper concludes that; Youth membership needs deliberate efforts by different
interventions to make them attractive to cotton business that are payable. Also, more
interactive strategies are still needed that are participative and that are integrated with
youth preference which can make youth to be inclusive in agriculture for leveraging the
level unemployment in the sector. The paper recommends; Primary AMCOS are required
to develop tangible strategies that are integrated to youth preference. Local government
loans on youth should target youth groups which are doing agriculture. Also, programs
on youth participation and engagement on cooperative farming business will enhance the
breath and worthiness for youth engagement hence creates youth employment widening.
