Entrepreneurial Skills Needed by Agricultural Undergraduates for Sustainable Fingerling Production Enterprise in Delta State

Abstract

The study determined the entrepreneurial skills needed by Agricultural undergraduates for sustainable fingerlings production enterprise in Delta State. A survey research design was adopted for the study and three research questions guided the study. The population for the study was 100 which comprised of 70 fish farmers, 12 Agricultural Extension agents and 18 University Lecturers. The sample for the study was eighty (80) consisting of 55 fish farmers, 15 lecturers in faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University and 10 extension agents in Delta State. A purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. Data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire divided into sections to reflect the specific objectives of the study. Validation of the instrument was done by three (3) experts from Delta State University. A pilot study was carried out to determine the reliability of the instrument using Cronbach alpha which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.86.Descriptive statistical tools (mean and standard deviation) were used to analyze the data for the study. The findings of the study revealed that 10 skills in planning of fingerling production, 17 skills in breeding of fingerlings and 14 marketing skills for marketing of fingerlings were mostly needed by agricultural undergraduates for entry into sustainable fingerling production enterprise. The study concluded that agricultural undergraduates need skills in planning of fingerling production, breeding of fingerlings and marketing of fingerlings. The study recommended that the identified skills should be included in the curriculum of vocational agricultural education program for training of Agricultural undergraduate students. Agricultural undergraduates should be properly trained on these skills by their lecturers and technicians through practical trainings and individual/group projects in fingerling production.