Determinants of the intention to practise aquaculture after graduation among university students of aquaculture and fisheries in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the factors influencing the intention to practise aquaculture (ITPA) among university fisheries students in Ogun State, Nigeria, after graduation. A multistage procedure was employed to select 198 fisheries students from two universities offering aquaculture and fisheries-related courses within the study area. Data were obtained via a questionnaire administered via the Kobo Collect application. The data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that the students’ mean age was 24.3 years, and that 60% of them were females. The majority (97.0%) were single, and 21.8% indicated that their parents were involved in aquaculture enterprises. The results also showed that 91.4% intended to practise aquaculture after graduation, with 60.8% preferring to start a feed milling enterprise. The motivations for ITPA after graduation included the desire to create jobs (93.6%), and persuasion by parents and relatives (94.1%). Those who did not intend to practise aquaculture reported lack of access to loan facilities (94.1%), and a lack of professionalism (88.2%) as demotivating factors. Additionally, 94.9% had a positive perception of youth involvement in aquaculture, but required further training in pond construction (x̄=1.57±0.64), and fingerling production/breeding (x̄=1.58±0.65). The perception of youth involvement in aquaculture was found to be a significant predictor of students’ ITPA (β=0.116, p<0.05) with an odds ratio of 1.123. It was concluded that the intention of fisheries students’ intention to practise aquaculture after graduation was significantly influenced by their perception of youth involvement in aquaculture rather than by personal characteristics. It is recommended that stakeholders should provide fisheries graduates with access to land and financial support.