Utilization Of Digital Platforms For Youth Engagement In Fisheries Supply Chains In Ogun State, Nigeria
Akinboye, O. A.
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
Keywords: Utilization, Digital platforms, Youth engagement, Fisheries, Fisheries supply chains
Abstract
The utilization of digital platforms for youth engagement in fisheries supply chains represents a significant advancement in addressing the complexities of this sector thus, the engagement of youth in fisheries supply chains is critical for the sustainability of and innovation of the fish farming sector. The study elucidates the various dimensions through which digital platforms are employed to empower young individuals, enhance their participation in fisheries and promote sustainable practices within the supply chain. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 166 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentage, mean and weighted mean score (WMS) were used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents while Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) was used to test the study hypothesis. The findings revealed that various types of digital platforms such as social media platforms (WMS=2.45), mobile applications (WMS=2.36), blogging and content creation platforms (WMS=2.33) and e-Learning platforms (WMS=2.27) were employed to facilitate communication, collaboration and participation among youth in fisheries. The types of engagement observed include fish farming (WMS=2.57), skill development (WMS=2.55), distribution and trading (WMS=2.52) and networking (WMS=2.47) within the fisheries supply chains while the effects of digital platforms such as increased access to information (WMS=2.08), opportunities for training and skill development (WMS=2.06), enhanced market access (WMS=2.01), stronger networks and collaboration (WMS=1.96) were significant, resulting in increased participation, enhanced knowledge transfer and improved access to market opportunities. There is a moderate level of digital platform utilization (59%) among the youth, indicating that while many youth are engaged, there is potential for broader outreach and impact. The benefits of utilizing of digital platforms for youth engagement in fisheries supply chains include enhanced communication and connectivity with stakeholders (WMS=2.15), greater visibility for youth initiatives (WMS=2.13), promotion of sustainable and innovative practices (WMS=2.12) and cost-effectiveness (WMS=2.10) within the sector. However, constraints such as digital literacy (WMS=1.99), cost barriers (WMS=1.98), fragmentation of information (WMS=1.95) and access to technology (WMS=1.92) hinder effective utilization of digital platforms for youth engagement in fisheries supply chains. A significant relationship exists between the types of youth engagement in fisheries supply chains (r=0.549; p=0.000) and the utilization of digital platforms for youth engagement in fisheries supply chains. In conclusion, the strategic utilization of digital platforms for youth engagement in fisheries supply chains offers a pathway to enhance participation, promote sustainability, economic viability, foster innovation and social cohesion within the sector thereby fostering a new generation of informed and empowered participants in the fisheries, ultimately contributing to the resilience and sustainability of global food systems.