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Determinant of University Students’ Choices and Preferences of Agricultural Sub-Sector Engagement in Cameroon

Author

Listed:
  • Cynthia J. Mkong

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Buea, P.O. BOX 63, Buea, Cameroon)

  • Tahirou Abdoulaye

    (Social Science and Agribusiness, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), B.P. 320, Bamako, Mali)

  • Paul Martin Dontsop-Nguezet

    (Social Science and Agribusiness, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kalemie, Democratic 570, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Zoumana Bamba

    (Country Representative, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kinshasa, Democratic 4163, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Victor Manyong

    (Social Science and Agribusiness, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), P.O. BOX 34441, Dar es Salam, Tanzania)

  • Godlove Shu

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Buea, P.O. BOX 63, Buea, Cameroon)

Abstract

Although the agri-food sector has a huge potential to offer attractive employment opportunities for Africa’s burgeoning youth, a negative perception of agriculture persists among Cameroonian youths, such as in many other African countries. The paper assesses the determinants of university students’ choices and preferences for agricultural sub-sector engagement in Cameroon. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 550 students from two state universities. We used the SWOT analysis to evaluate students’ perceptions of challenges and opportunities within the agricultural sector in Cameroon, the binomial probit analysis to assess the determinants of students’ choices of agriculture as a university major, and an ordered probit analysis to evaluate the determinants of students’ preferences of agricultural sub-sector engagement. Findings reveal that choice of agriculture as a university major is significantly determined by sex, pre-university farming experience, pre-university academic background, mother’s level of education, and household income. Likewise, preference of agricultural sub-sector engagement is significantly determined by the student’s level of study and location of a childhood home. Improving the attractiveness of, and working conditions in, the agricultural sector could increase youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities. The results also reinforce the need to increase household income in Cameroon, as this could lift families out of poverty and offer them more economic opportunities. Policies that regulate levels of education can equally be used to allocate human resources into different agricultural sub-sectors, subject to felt needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Cynthia J. Mkong & Tahirou Abdoulaye & Paul Martin Dontsop-Nguezet & Zoumana Bamba & Victor Manyong & Godlove Shu, 2021. "Determinant of University Students’ Choices and Preferences of Agricultural Sub-Sector Engagement in Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6564-:d:571418
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Federica Consentino & Gabriella Vindigni & Daniela Spina & Clara Monaco & Iuri Peri, 2023. "An Agricultural Career through the Lens of Young People," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.

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