CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, historically contributing a large share of

GDP and employing the majority of the rural population. According to Nigeria’s official

statistics, the agricultural sector contributed about 24.4% of nominal GDP in 2020. Similarly,

FAO data note that farming provides over 70% of rural employment and roughly a quarter of

Nigeria’s GDP. Despite its economic importance, interest in agriculture among Nigerian youth is

weak and falling. Young people often view farming as unattractive; for example, in a 2024 study,

Oluwatayo et al. observe that many young people “see farming as an unattractive and low-paying

job that requires hard labour, long hours, and little reward,” and that agriculture is considered “a

dirty profession meant for poor and vulnerable individuals.,” prompting them to leave rural areas

in search of other jobs. A continent-wide review likewise finds that African youth frequently hold

pessimistic views about agriculture’s ability to improve their living standards. In short, an aging

farmer population and these negative attitudes raise concern that the sector may struggle to

sustain itself without greater youth engagement.

Students’ attitudes especially undergraduates are especially important because attitudes strongly

influence career decisions. The theory of planned behavior holds that individuals’ intentions and

actions stem directly from their attitudes toward a behavior which was proposed by Ajzen in

1991. In line with this, empirical studies in Nigeria report that students’ attitudes are key

predictors of their intention to enter agribusiness. For instance, Abdulshakur and Sulaiman

(2021) found that positive attitudes toward farming significantly increased students’
entrepreneurial intention in agriculture. Likewise, aspirations and expectations shape

participation: undergraduates who envision promising futures in farming are more likely to

pursue agricultural careers. Thus, unfavourable perceptions or low aspirations regarding farming

can directly reduce the likelihood that young people will take up agriculture.

Multiple socio-demographic factors shape how undergraduates perceive and engage in

agriculture. For example, Igene, Belonwu & Elusaiwe (2025), in a study of youths in Esan West

LGA, Edo State report that a substantial proportion of respondents were literate, and that many

of these literate youths held positive views about agriculture: 42.4% “very positively” and 47.0%

believed agriculture offers income, ensures food security, and creates jobs. This suggests that

higher education (or at least literacy) correlates with more favourable attitudes toward

agriculture. Similarly, in a national-scale analysis of youth participation in Nigeria, Osabohien,

Famakinwa & Ogunmokun (2023) found that the gender of the respondent was a statistically

significant predictor of agricultural participation with male youths more likely than female

youths to engage in agriculture as their main occupation. The same study also showed that

increased household assets a proxy for wealth or resource endowments and the determination to

remain in agriculture raised the probability of youth involvement in farming, indicating that

socio-economic status (including assets) conditions youth engagement. Additional evidence from

a broader African review by Mdege et al. (2024) supports the relevance of education: they

observe across multiple contexts that educational attainment and training are among the most

consistent socio-economic factors positively associated with young people’s interest in

agribusiness.

Evidence from within Nigeria reveals important regional differences in youth attitudes toward

agriculture. In Plateau State, Vihi, Jesse, Markwin, Selzing and Ochelle (2023) reported that
more than 70 percent of youths lived in rural communities and demonstrated largely positive

perceptions of farming, noting that many believed agriculture provides income, supports

household food security, and creates employment opportunities. However, findings from

southwestern Nigeria paint a contrasting picture. In Osun State, Adegboyega and Olorunfemi

(2020) found that youths especially undergraduates held generally negative attitudes toward

agriculture, largely due to challenges such as lack of access to land and insufficient start-up

capital. Similarly, Ogunbameru and Idris (2022) observed that although some young people in

Osun State engage in agribusiness, many remain skeptical about the long-term viability and

attractiveness of the agricultural sector. These variations suggest that youth attitudes toward

agriculture differ significantly across local contexts.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Agriculture in Nigeria is a broad sector that extends far beyond simple farming. It encompasses

the supply of inputs (seeds, fertilizer, machinery), crop and livestock production (including sub‐

sectors such as fisheries, apiculture and poultry), and downstream activities like processing,

marketing, logistics and agribusiness (e.g. value addition and distribution). As one study notes,

“agriculture is defined as the planting of crops and rearing of animals”, but in practice it requires

coordinated work across all parts of the food and fiber value chain. This diversity means there

are many potential career paths in agriculture (from seed research to food processing to farm

equipment sales), yet paradoxically many Nigerian youths including those in agricultural studies

see farming and related careers as unattractive or unrewarding. In fact, Nigeria’s farm labour

force is rapidly aging and there is “mass migration of youth from rural communities to cities”.

This is troubling because engaging young people in agriculture can spur innovation and

productivity: studies in Africa have shown that when youth invest in agriculture, they bring new
ideas and technologies that increase output and food security. In short, youth involvement is

needed to sustain Nigeria’s agriculture and economy, but many undergraduates view the sector as

low-status or low-paying.

Osun has over 28,000 hectares under oil palm cultivation (in local government areas like Ife

South, Irewole, Ilesa East, Ayedaade and Atakumosa), supporting more than 40,000 smallholder

farmers. Moreover, Osun’s demographic profile is very youthful: approximately 60% of the

state’s agricultural workforce are young people. The state even hosts targeted programs (such as

the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Program, O-REAP, and the Osun Youth

Empowerment Scheme, O-YES) to foster rural entrepreneurship and agribusiness among youth.

Despite these assets, it is unclear why so few youths choose agriculture careers. In other words,

why do undergraduates in Osun State who come from this agrarian setting often exhibit

indifferent or negative attitudes toward agriculture?

Research suggests that such attitudes are shaped by socio‐economic background and perceptions.

Social norms and family influences can strongly colour a young person’s view of farming. For

example, one African review points out that occupational prestige is uneven: “doctors often

command greater respect and prestige than agricultural workers”, and this “differential social

status” causes young people to devalue agricultural work. Likewise, youth surveys have found

that many see farm work as “hard and not prestigious”, believing it “does not provide

opportunities for self-realization,” especially if they lack family ties to farming. Conversely,

having parents engaged in agriculture or a personal affinity for animals and nature tends to

motivate youth toward farming. Thus, the socio-economic characteristics of students such as:

their family background, urban or rural origin, and personal interests may be key determinants of

their attitudes.
In one Nigerian university study, for example, most undergraduates in agriculture reported that

their own personal interest influenced their course choice, and a large majority (85%) said they

would not switch out of agriculture. However, these same students also cited concrete problems:

33% pointed to “inadequate facilities and equipment” in their programs, and 27% mentioned

“little practical work using conventional method” as major constraints. Such findings imply that

both internal factors (like interest and background) and external factors (like quality of training)

shape students’ attitudes in complex ways.

Another factor is sector of interest. Agriculture covers many sub-sectors (arable crops, livestock,

aquaculture, agro-processing, etc.), and undergraduates may prefer some sectors over others. If

students see more profit or modern technology in certain areas (for instance, poultry or agro-

processing), they may have a more positive attitude toward those fields than toward traditional

crop farming. Unfortunately, there is little documented evidence in Osun State about which sub-

sector appeals most to students. Identifying these preferences could reveal, for example, whether

poultry or crop production or agri-processing is more attractive to youths.

A recent review in Nigeria explicitly lists agriculture’s “low pay and unattractive” image, and

recommends that governments must improve youth access to land, credit (microloans) and grants

if agriculture is to draw the younger generation. Other constraints include inadequate

infrastructure and lack of hands-on training, as noted by students above. In Osun State, specific

barriers could be insufficient farmland, poor market connections or negative advice from families

and teachers, but these have not been fully documented.

Osun State has significant agricultural resources and youth development programs, yet many of

its agricultural undergraduates may still harbour indifferent or negative attitudes toward farming

careers. This study therefore aims to fill this gap by systematically examining these determinants
of undergraduates’ attitudes toward agriculture as a profession in Osun State. Doing so will

provide evidence for designing targeted interventions (for example, improving educational

resources or extension outreach) to make agriculture more appealing to the next generation.

1.3 Research Questions

Given all the various research that have been conducted on youth attitude, there is little empirical

evidences on its determinant towards agriculture as a profession in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Hence,

this study tends to provide answers to the following research questions:

i. What are the socio-economic characteristics of the undergraduates in tertiary institution

in Osun State, Nigeria?

ii. What are the sectors of interest by the undergraduates in agriculture as a profession?

iii. What are the attitudes of undergraduates toward agriculture as a profession?

iv. What are the institutional and community supports that can influence undergraduates’

attitude toward agriculture as a profession in the study area? and

v. What are the constraints affecting undergraduates’ attitudes toward agriculture as a

profession?

1.4 Research Objectives

The main objective of this study is to examine the determinants of undergraduates’ attitude

towards agriculture as a profession in Osun State. Specifically, the study aims to:

i. describe the socio-economic characteristics of the undergraduates in tertiary institution in

Osun State, Nigeria;

 ii. identify the sector of interest by the undergraduates in agriculture as a profession;

iii. determine the attitudes of undergraduates toward agriculture as a profession;

iv. examine institutional and community supports that can influence undergraduates’ attitude

towards agriculture as a profession in the study area; and

v. examine the constraints affecting undergraduates’ attitudes toward agriculture as a

profession.

1.5 Hypotheses of the Study

The below hypothesis is formulated to guide this study:

Hypothesis one: There is no significant relationship between selected variables and the attitudes

of undergraduates toward agriculture as a profession in the study area.

Hypothesis two: There is no relationship between institutional and community support and the

attitudes of undergraduates toward agriculture as a profession in the study area.

1.6 Significance of the Study

Recent studies highlight a pervasive youth aversion to Agriculture. For example, Nigerian

students describe agriculture as “a poor and unbecoming profession” (Dawodu & Olagunju,

2022), reflecting broader pessimism about farming’s prospects in Africa (Geza et al., 2021).

However, the specific drivers of these attitudes in Osun State remain under-explored. Cultural

norms, economic conditions, and educational background critically shape youth outlooks

(Nthoesane & Teele, 2024), suggesting that local context may alter patterns seen elsewhere. In

sum, this research will bridge national strategy and on-the-ground needs, advancing both
scholarship and effective youth-oriented agricultural programs (Geza et al., 2021; Osabohien et

al., 2021).

1.7 Definition of terms:

i. Youth

Youth refer to individuals between the ages of 15 and 35 years that are mostly undergraduates

(students), studying in any of the Osun State institutions who are potential or actual participants

in agricultural activities.

ii. Attitude Towards Agriculture

This refers to the positive or negative perception, feeling, belief, or disposition that youths hold

about agriculture as a profession. It includes their interest, willingness to participate, and

perceived value or prestige associated with farming.

iii. Social and Cultural Factors

Social and cultural factors refer to the norms, values, beliefs, and expectations within a

community that influence youths’ perception of agriculture. These include family influence,

community prestige of farming, peer pressure, and societal attitudes toward farming.

iv. Psychological Factors

Psychological factors describe internal perceptions of youth related to agriculture such as interest

level, self-efficacy, motivation, fear of risk, perceived difficulty, and personal aspirations which

shape their willingness to pursue agriculture as a career.

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