Differentials and Determinants of Choice of Agriculture as a Profession among Agriculture Graduates in Nigeria

The study analysed the determinants of choice of agriculture as a profession among agriculture graduates in the three universities specialized agriculture in Nigeria. It sampled opinions from 50 final year graduate students in each university, giving a total of 150 respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the socioeconomic characteristics, career aspirations and attitudes of agricultural graduates towards farming/farm-business as a career option and probit regression procedure to analyse the determinant factors influencing choice of agriculture and farming/farming business as a profession. Results showed that most (98.67%) of the students aspired to be entrepreneurs, followed by farming and consultants in major fields (88.00% each). Majority (69.33%) of the students indicated favourable attitude towards farming/farm business as a career. Important factors influencing choice of agriculture as a career include; parents influence, gender, contact with professionals and access to family farms, which were significant at various levels. The results call for policies aimed at increased access to more lands to enhance commercial oriented farming rather than family lands that has been fragmented over the years and subsistence in nature, making such unattractive to students with career prospects in agriculture. There is also need for parents and agriculture professionals to access and process information on innovations that will equip them to disseminate innovations and orientate their wards better. Gender mainstreaming is also advocated to achieve a balance and to attract more youth in agriculture.