Perceptions on Agriculture among Freshmen Students at the University of the Philippines Los Baños: Key Challenges and Solutions
Kamla Zyra G. Lavadia, Lourdes B. Columbres, Maria Angeli G. Maghuyop, and Domingo E. Angeles
Received: 12 March 2021/ Revised: 07 May 2021/ Accepted: 26 May 2021 (https://doi.org/10.62550/CT23025021)
This study involved 832 freshmen students enrolled in the course Introduction to Agriculture from 2009 to 2014 from the College of Agriculture and Food Science and the College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, to determine the perception of youth towards the field of agriculture and its degree program. Using quantitative parameters and correlation analysis, the relationship between the demographic characteristics and the freshmen’s perception towards agriculture was determined. Students’ demographic characteristics (age and gender) are positively correlated with the student's perception of agriculture. Initially, the majority (58.3%) of the freshmen have a negative attitude towards the agriculture program. As a student's in-depth knowledge of the agriculture field increases, their perception and idea of the program is also positively influenced. Contrary to the popular belief that agriculture is a male-dominated field, the majority of the students enrolled in the course are female (63%). Recommendations to make Agriculture more attractive to youth through information dissemination (i.e. ICT-based modalities, infomercials) and interactive campaign will promote the discipline in an effort to increase the interest of the youth and subsequently, the popularity of the program.