Entrepreneurial Career of Students in Agriculture: An Analysis

Abstract

The study analyzed the entrepreneurial career of students in agriculture. The output of the research is deemed important for planning actions or interventions designed to improve or enhance the entrepreneurial potentials of agriculture students that will empower them to create opportunities for agricultural and industrial development. The study made use of 175 students taking up agriculture who were randomly selected as respondents. The study used achievement motivation, work habits and attitudes as indicators of entrepreneurial career index of the students. Results indicated that 52% of the respondents have moderately high to high potential ability to engage, sustain, and succeed as entrepreneurs. Relative to achievement motivation, the respondents have high potential ability to: 1) forego small conveniences or discomfort at present in favor of a much bigger and more satisfying returns in the future; 2) focus their energies on the task to be able to accomplish things; and 3) associate with people who work hard and who are knowledgeable about the things they are interested in. On the other hand, the respondents tendnot to likely use their time productively. In terms of work habits and attitudes, the respondents have the following potentials: 1) ability to take upon themselves responsibilities and tasks rather than depending on others, 2) ability not to allow conditions to determine their attitudes towards work, and 3) ability to make responsive and timely decisions. However, they have the tendency not to believe in their abilities or capacities in comparison with others. Findings further showed that students belonging to disunited families and students with entrepreneurial experiences have better entrepreneurial career index than those belonging to intact families. Students who finished and those who are still taking the subject on entrepreneurship and students who have experiences on entrepreneurship have better work habits and attitudes. Results are significant inputs to entrepreneurship education particularly in the field of agriculture as to which characteristics or traits should be developed or be further enhanced among students and as to who should be encouraged and be advised to engage in entrepreneurship. While students possess qualities at varying degrees, it is an important strategy to make them aware of their strengths and weaknesses and to guide them build traits and characteristics necessary for entrepreneurship.