Abstract:
This study investigates the preparedness of final-year undergraduate students at Sokoine University of
Agriculture (SUA) for agricultural self-employment, with a focus on their perceived knowledge,
technical skills, and soft skills. A structured survey was administered to 202 randomly selected
students to assess their understanding of essential competencies for entrepreneurial success in
agriculture. A t-test analysis identified gender differences, with male students reporting higher
confidence than female students (p = 0.02). The findings reveal significant gaps in students' perceived
knowledge, particularly in business management, financial planning, and marketing, with only 25% of
students expressing confidence in these areas Regression analysis indicated that exposure to
internships and entrepreneurship training positively impacted students' proficiency in these areas.
Participation in internships and entrepreneurship workshops was associated with enhanced selfreported preparedness (p = 0.01 for both), highlighting the value of experiential learning. Technical
skills, including crop and livestock management, business acumen, and technological literacy, showed
moderate proficiency, but over 45% of students lacked proficiency in financial management, and more
than 50% rated their technological literacy as low. Marketing and value chain management skills were
also underdeveloped, with only 18% reporting high proficiency. Soft skills, such as communication,
problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership, were assessed, with students showing confidence in
communication and teamwork, while younger students (19-22 years) reported lower problem-solving
skills. The study concludes that students possess foundational agricultural skills but require further
training in business management, financial literacy, and technological adoption. The study
recommends integrating business-focused modules, expanding technological training, and enhancing
experiential learning opportunities to better prepare students for agricultural self-employment |
Keywords:
Self-employment, Readiness, Agricultural entrepreneurship, Graduate employability,
Job market demands, Entrepreneurial skills, technical knowledge, and Youth unemployment. |
