Intentions of Young Farmers Club (YFC) Members to Pursue Career Preparation in Agriculture: The Case of Uganda

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Intentions of Young Farmers Club (YFC) Members to Pursue Career Preparation in Agriculture: The Case of Uganda
Language: English
Authors: Mukembo, Stephen C., Edwards, M. Craig, Ramsey, Jon W., Henneberry, Shida R.
Source: Journal of Agricultural Education. 2015 56(3):16-34.
Availability: American Association for Agricultural Education. P.O. Box 7607, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Raleigh, NC 27695. Web site: http://www.aaaeonline.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2015
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Youth Programs, Agricultural Occupations, Secondary School Students, Student Attitudes, Intention, Career Choice, Family Influence, Postsecondary Education, Agricultural Education, Gender Differences, Questionnaires, Influences, Parent Attitudes, Case Studies
Geographic Terms: Uganda
ISSN: 1042-0541
Abstract: The decline of youth engagement in agriculture worldwide amidst an increasing global population remains a big challenge to ensuring food security for future generations. This phenomenon is worsened by the shortage of professional female agriculturists, though they comprise about 60% to 80% of the traditional workforce in the agriculture sector of most developing countries (Beintema & Di Marcantonio, 2009). This descriptive study had 102 participants who were members of Young Farmers Clubs (YFCs) from two secondary schools in eastern Uganda. The study's purpose was to determine the perceptions of members of YFCs on their intent to pursue agriculture-related career preparation after graduating from secondary school, including indications of familial support for preparatory experiences. The findings indicate that a large majority (95.1%) of the students was likely or highly likely to continue with their education at the post-secondary level. A high percentage (70.6%) was "likely" or "highly likely" to pursue agriculture-related career preparation; however, significant differences existed between the sexes. Female club members were less certain than their male peers about pursuing higher education involving the study of agriculture. Additional research should be conducted on how to attract more females to study agriculture at the tertiary level, especially in developing countries.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 64
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1122690
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The decline of youth engagement in agriculture worldwide amidst an increasing global population remains a big challenge to ensuring food security for future generations. This phenomenon is worsened by the shortage of professional female agriculturists, though they comprise about 60% to 80% of the traditional workforce in the agriculture sector of most developing countries (Beintema & Di Marcantonio, 2009). This descriptive study had 102 participants who were members of Young Farmers Clubs (YFCs) from two secondary schools in eastern Uganda. The study's purpose was to determine the perceptions of members of YFCs on their intent to pursue agriculture-related career preparation after graduating from secondary school, including indications of familial support for preparatory experiences. The findings indicate that a large majority (95.1%) of the students was likely or highly likely to continue with their education at the post-secondary level. A high percentage (70.6%) was "likely" or "highly likely" to pursue agriculture-related career preparation; however, significant differences existed between the sexes. Female club members were less certain than their male peers about pursuing higher education involving the study of agriculture. Additional research should be conducted on how to attract more females to study agriculture at the tertiary level, especially in developing countries.
ISSN:1042-0541