Exploring the Entrepreneurial Readiness of Indian Agri – Graduates: Pathway to the Enhanced Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The ultimate aim of education in developing countries is to earn a livelihood. Agricultural Sciences is taught in India in more than ۷۴ agricultural universities. This paper examines entrepreneurial readiness and aims to understand the various factors underlying the entrepreneurial readiness of agricultural students. Data from ۴۲۲ students from ۹ State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) in India formed the study sample. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to measure entrepreneurial readiness based on entrepreneurial intention, perceived ability, perceived attractiveness, entrepreneurial learning orientation, and passion for work. The correlation test revealed a positive correlation among all the variables, with correlation values ranging from ۰.۴۰ to ۰.۶۸. Most students (۷۴.۴۰%) had a medium level of entrepreneurial readiness. They were ambitious, willing to learn, and had the creativity, leadership, courage, and risk-bearing abilities required to be entrepreneurs. Regression analysis revealed that variables like gender, exposure to entrepreneurial training/workshops/seminars, and having an entrepreneur in the family are significant factors in entrepreneurial readiness. The findings help the agricultural universities' faculty and capacity building and training institutes design the contents of the entrepreneurship education programmes for agri-graduates to make them job providers rather than job seekers, thus contributing to an enhanced entrepreneurial ecosystem in agricultural universities.

Keywords:

Agricultural students , Entrepreneurship education.