SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SKILL ACQUISITION FOR SELF-RELANCE IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: This study focused on sustainable agricultural science education, entrepreneurship and skill acquisition as means of promoting self-reliance among Agricultural Science Education students in Delta State, Nigeria. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey design was used, with a population of 1,200 male and female Agricultural Science Education students. A sample of 200 students, consisting of 90 males and 110 females, was selected using stratified random sampling. Data was collected with a 10-item structured questionnaire based on the objectives of the study and rated on a four-point Likert scale. The instrument was validated by experts, and a reliability coefficient of 0.82 was obtained using Cronbach’s Alpha. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test was used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that agricultural science education equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed for self-reliance to a high extent, with a grand mean of 3.19. The study also found that entrepreneurship education and skill acquisition help students develop the abilities required to establish and manage sustainable agricultural enterprises to a high extent, with a grand mean of 3.22. The results of the t-test showed that there was no significant difference between the responses of male and female students on both research areas. The study concluded that improving practical agricultural education, entrepreneurship training and skill acquisition can better prepare students for self-employment and sustainable agricultural enterprise development. It was therefore recommended that agricultural education institutions should provide more practical training, improve facilities and equipment, strengthen entrepreneurship education and develop stronger partnerships with agricultural industries. Keywords: Agricultural Science Education, Entrepreneurship, Skill Acquisition, Self-Reliance, Sustainable Agriculture, Delta State.