Entrepreneurial Attitude of Agriculture Students in Odisha, India: An Analysis

Abstract

The study explores the entrepreneurial attitude of agriculture students in Odisha, focusing on their readiness to engage in agribusiness activities. The research, conducted with 569 final-year B.Sc. (Agriculture) students across nine colleges, reveals that the majority (68.55%) exhibit a medium level of entrepreneurial attitude, with a mean score of 80.40. Among the various dimensions analyzed, planning orientation and marketing management ranked highest, indicating strong capabilities in these areas, essential for agribusiness success. However, the entrepreneurial mindset scored lowest, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to enhance this critical component. The study also found minimal influence of socio-demographic factors such as family background, type, and size on students' entrepreneurial attitudes, suggesting that personal experiences and education play a more significant role. Gender differences were observed, particularly in the entrepreneurial mindset, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive educational approaches. The research concludes that while Odisha's agriculture students possess essential entrepreneurial skills, focused efforts are required to strengthen their mindset and risk-taking abilities to fully harness their potential in the agricultural sector. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and educational institutions to tailor entrepreneurship programs more effectively.