AGRICULTURE STUDENTS

This study examined the perception of final-year students in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, toward taking farming as a future livelihood. The study aimed to determine students’ interest in farming, identify factors influencing their perception, assess their attitudes toward farming relative to other career pathways, and highlight key constraints that may hinder them from choosing farming as a livelihood option after graduation. A total of 66 respondents were selected using a proportionate sampling technique, which ensured that each of the six departments was represented according to its share of the 218 final-year students in the faculty. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and mean) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The socio-demographic profile revealed that respondents were predominantly male (90.9%), mostly young (87.9% aged 25 and below, with a mean age of 23 years), and single 97%). Most respondents originated from rural communities (63.6%), and exactly half (50%) reported having access to farmland. The findings indicated a generally positive perception of farming, with high mean ratings for statements suggesting that agriculture offers diverse career opportunities (Mean = 4.59), provides sustainable income (Mean = 4.35), and is becoming increasingly attractive due to technological advancements (Mean = 4.54). Students also showed considerable interest in pursuing farming, although their intentions were moderated by structural limitations. Major constraints identified included insufficient start-up capital (Mean = 3.28), limited access to formal credit (Mean = 3.06), inadequate storage facilities (Mean = 3.13), and high input costs (Mean = 3.03). The correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between certain socio- economic variables and perception. Residential background (r = 0.298; p = 0.016), access to land (r = 0.312; p = 0.011), and farming experience (r = 0.341; p = 0.005) were all significantly associated with students’ perception of farming as a livelihood, suggesting that rural upbringing, land availability, and exposure to farming enhance positive orientation toward agriculture. Conversely, sex, age, marital status and household size showed no significant effects (p > 0.05). The study concludes that while final-year agriculture students at the University of Benin perceive farming positively, key structural constraints, particularly inadequate capital, limited access to land, and insufficient equipment, must be addressed to encourage their participation in the agricultural sector. It is therefore recommended that policymakers address critical constraints of inadequate capital, limited credit access, insufficient storage facilities, and high input costs hindering graduates' agricultural participation