Agricultural entrepreneurship education and youth development: a case study of graduates of higher institutions in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed agricultural entrepreneurship education and youth development among graduates of higher institutions in Southeast Nigeria. Data were collected from 123 corps members proportionately selected in a multistage procedure. The tool used for data collection was questionnaire and the data were presented in percentage, mean score, and bar charts. Some corps members favourably perceived that there are good opportunities in Nigeria to start up own agricultural business enterprise while others perceived agriculture as a high-risk enterprise. Skills acquired from the programme include communication, team work, and interpersonal skills. Respondents showed dissatisfaction in the proportion of theory to practical exposure, feedback mechanism employed by resource persons and learning environment. Only 52% of the corps members indicated intention for agricultural entrepreneurship. Respondents’ intention varied with the personal, demographic and institutional factors. Government should provide and support follow-up trainings for graduates with interest and strong aspiration for entrepreneurship in agriculture.