FARM PRACTICAL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS: CASE STUDY OF PIONEER STUDENTS, KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY, MALETE, NIGERIA

In Nigeria, the curriculum of agriculture at undergraduate level was re-structured by introducing farm practical training (FPT) for students. The study examined students‘ orientation, skill acquisition, level of satisfaction and change in attitude towards farming, constraints and ways of improving FPT. Data were collected from students with structured questionnaire. Frequency distribution and mean were used to analyze data collected. Results revealed that students‘ orientation about FPT was inadequate, students‘ farming skills acquisition were tremendously improved and students developed positive attitude towards agriculture as a means of livelihood. The perceived constraints and mean score included: untimely payment of allowances (4.4), inadequate monitoring (3.2) and unfavorable sharing formula of farm proceeds (3.1). It was concluded that addressing the skills acquisition of undergraduates, through the FPT, would satisfy youth employability in extension organizations and efficient provision of extension services to farmers. This would permit agricultural development to flourish in a sustainable manner.