Assessment of the Entrepreneurial Interest of Agriculture Students of University Of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the level of entrepreneurial interest of agriculture students. Using a proportionate random sampling technique, a total of 106 students was sampled. Findings showed that 65.1% of the students were males and 88.7% were within the age range of 20-29 years. Respondents indicated having a higher level of competence in rearing livestock (mean = 4.56) and poultry (mean = 4.25) but their major area of entrepreneurial interest was in poultry business (mean =2.68). They perceived raising fingerlings and fish production as the most profitable agribusiness (mean = 4.69). Respondents indicated the field practical training had improved their practical knowledge of agriculture (mean = 4.30) and that inadequate capital (mean = 4.40) was a constraint in starting an agribusiness. There was a significant association between students’ choice of study (Χ²=13.167, p<0.05) and their entrepreneurship interest. It is recommended that students should be motivated with incentives to stimulate their entrepreneurial interest.