Identifying Agri-Entrepreneurship Intention of Youth Engage in Agricultural Education: Referring Theory of Planned Behavior in Developing Context

Abstract

Agricultural sector is becoming less attractive for young people, especially in educated youth, in an increasing rate, which has become a global trend.  One of the dominant factors which support the development of the youth agri-entrepreneurship intention while boosting the economy of the country is the agriculture education.  The study aims to identify the factors that influencing entrepreneurial intention of youth engage in agricultural education in Sri Lanka. The study mainly allied with the conceptual extension of the theory being proposed through the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and analyzed three main factors; perceived behavior, subjective norms, and personal attitude towards outcome, that can create effects. The scope of the study included undergraduates who were undertaking studies in the agricultural spectrum. Quantitative research approach was employed and primary data were collected utilizing a structured questionnaire. The results indicated that the agri-entrepreneurship intention among Sri Lankan university students are mostly influenced through their personal attitudes and perceived behaviors while the subjective norms have a lack of impact when compared with the studies that have been conducted in other countries. The results of the study could serve as the major guidelines to address the content that was lacking in entrepreneurial education in the agricultural spectrum. The study presents the areas through which the developments in education can be made and these can be used as the major focus areas for educators, policy makers and the students.