STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF LIVESTOCK FARMING AS A CAREER CHOICE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the perception of students to livestock production as a choice of career. Fifty six final year students of Animal Science related disciplines in four selected tertiary institutions in Niger State were randomly selected and data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage and means. Majority (71.6%) of the respondents had a favourable perception toward livestock farming as a choice of career. Top ranked influences on choice of career were personal interest, work experience, people known to be involved in livestock farming, parent's background and career guidance. Top ranked constraints to choosing livestock as a career were inadequate practical exposure, difficulty in acquiring land, inadequate access to capital/money to start up livestock farming and poor awareness of the potentials of career in livestock farming. The study concluded that the students had favorable perception toward livestock production as a choice of carrier. It was recommended that funds be made available and accessible to students upon graduation to enable them start livestock farming while increasing their exposure to practical and creating more awareness on the potentials of livestock farming.