Entrepreneurship in Agricultural Education

Abstract

Entrepreneurship in the farm sector is defined in terms of farmer's ability to take up activities such as mobilising resources, adapting technologies, opening new markets and exploiting opportunities. It is also defined in terms of a farmer's ability to take risk and to show practical creativity and managerial ability in effectively combining resources and opportunities in an effort to provide produce, goods and services appropriate to the needs of local community and at the same time generating sufficient income to help oneself, one's family and the community at large. How far the concept of entrepreneurship as defined above is being appreciated by the agricultural extension personnel? Similarly, how do the farm students view the concept of entrepreneurship? It was thought worthwhile to probe into these questions and thus the present study was formulated. The study also covered a sample of farm entrepreneurs who are engaged in the process in the field. Against this background, the study was conducted with the main objectives as 1) To analyse the views of agricultural students regarding the concept of entrepreneurship in their academic curriculum; 2) To study the perception of agricultural extension personnel about the concept of entrepreneurship; and 3) To identify the training needs of farm entrepreneurship in the field.