GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

This study examined the establishment of school farms in public tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State, with a focus on their role in developing entrepreneurial ventures among students. In carrying out the study, a descriptive survey design was adopted. The study was carried out in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised all management members of tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. This included Deputy Vice Chancellors Admin, Bursars, and Deans of the Faculty of Agriculture in universities; Deputy Provosts Admin and Bursars in colleges of education; and Deputy Rectors Admin and Bursars in polytechnics. A judgmental sampling technique was used in selecting respondents from tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State, namely: University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University, Federal University of Technology Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Federal College of Education, Federal Polytechnic Ukana, and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic. This gave a total sample size of 17 respondents drawn from the selected institutions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “School Farms and Development of Entrepreneurial Ventures Questionnaire” (SFDEVQ). The instrument was validated by an expert in Test, Measurement, and Evaluation to ensure its clarity and suitability. A reliability coefficient of 0.85 was obtained, confirming the reliability of the instrument. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics to answer the research questions. The result of findings revealed that the highest role of school farms in entrepreneurial development was “providing hands-on entrepreneurial training (35.29%)”, while the least role was “sustainability and long-term business thinking (5.88%)”. It was also found that the highest percentage of the benefit of establishing school farms was “entrepreneurship development (23.53%)”, while the least benefit was “community engagement and extension services (5.88%).” The study concluded that there is need for strategic planning, policy support, and partnerships with government and private stakeholders to maximize the benefits of school farms. One of the recommendations made was that institutions should collaborate with agricultural development agencies, NGOs, and private agribusiness firms.