INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE PRACTICAL ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN KOGI STATE

Abstract

Abstract
The study examined the influence of Agricultural Science practical on poverty alleviation
among senior secondary school students for sustainable development in Kogi State. The
specific objectives of the study were to assess the availability of school farm for carrying out
agricultural science practical for senior secondary school students in Idah LGA, Kogi State,
how often agricultural science practical are conducted in senior secondary schools in Idah
and how agricultural science practical can influence poverty alleviation among senior
secondary school students in Idah LGA, Kogi State. The study adopted descriptive survey
design. The population for the study comprised all the senior secondary school students (SSS
2) offering agricultural science as a subject in all the government secondary schools in Idah
Local Government Area. A sample of 122 students was randomly selected from the population.
Questionnaire was employed as an instrument of data collection. The study found that each
school farm has a laboratory for carrying out experiments for agricultural science practical,
but, agricultural science practical is taught theoretically. It was discovered that, agricultural
science practical is not conducted frequently among senior secondary school students. The
study concluded that, agricultural science students possessed the necessary skills and
knowledge to help alleviate poverty. It was recommended, among others, that incentives should
be given to agricultural science teachers to enable them carry out practical regularly, every
agricultural science subject period should be followed up by a practical class, school farms
should always be supervised by the principals of schools to ensure it is in a proper state,
agricultural science project day should be organized to showcase students’ produce from the
farm to parents and the community.