Informal Institutional Characteristics and Youth Involvement in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship in Fako Division, Cameroon: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Abstract

This study aims at examining the role of informal institutional characteristics on youth involvement in agribusiness entrepreneurship activities in the Fako division of the South West Region of Cameroon. Data were collected with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered using a stratified sampling technique. The target population was youths between the age of 18 to 35 years old who are involved in any agribusiness-related activity for commercial purposes. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 500 youths but only 451 of the questionnaires were returned without any error. We adopted a partial least square structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM) using SamrtPLS4.0. The findings revealed that the custom of the Fako people has a positive relationship with youth involvement in agribusiness entrepreneurship activities in the Fako division (β = 0.230, p < 0.000). However, the attitude of youths toward agricultural-related activities has a negative relationship with youths’ involvement in agribusiness entrepreneurship in the Fako division (β= –0.025, p < 0.560). Meanwhile, land tenure norms/fragmentation have a positive relationship with youths’ involvement in agribusiness entrepreneurship (β = 0.301, p < 0.,000), and traditional non-working days show a positive relationship with youths’ involvement in agribusiness entrepreneurship in Fako (β=0.274, p < 0.000).Serious attention should be given to influencing the attitude of youths toward agribusiness-related activities through sensitization programs such as organizing special agropastoral shows only for young people and other radio and TV programs.