INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SOCIETAL FACTORS ON AGRIPRENEURIAL INTENTION OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study examined the influence of risk-taking propensity and family background on the agripreneurial intention of senior secondary school students in Gombe State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the declining interest of youths in agriculture despite its importance for employment generation and economic development. Two specific objectives, two research questions, and two hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and 382 students were selected from a population of 67,622 using a multi-stage sampling technique based on Krejcie and Morgan’s method. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire with reliability established using Cronbach’s Alpha. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression at the 0.05 level of significance were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that risk-taking propensity significantly influences students’ agripreneurial intention, while family background also exerts a significant positive influence on students’ willingness to pursue agripreneurial careers. The study concludes that both individual and family-related factors are important determinants of agripreneurial intention among secondary school students.                             It recommends strengthening entrepreneurial and agricultural education to enhance students’ risk-taking abilities and promoting supportive family attitudes toward agripreneurship. The study contributes to the understanding of factors influencing youth participation in agriculture and provides evidence for developing policies aimed at fostering agripreneurial development among young people.