ASSESSMENT OF INSECURITIES ON SCHOOL FARMS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IFE CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of insecurity on the functionality of school farms and the development of entrepreneurial skills among secondary school students in Ife Central Local Government Area, Osun State. The study adopted a descriptive survey, research design. The population comprised all secondary school students in the study area, with 200 students purposively selected among the secondary schools. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through frequency counts, mean, standard deviations and simple percentages. The results showed that students were engaged in school farm activities of cash crops, food crops production and sale of farm produce within the school premises. It further showed that environmental, social and economic insecurities hinder the effective utilization of school farms for the development of entrepreneurial skills of the students to promote self-reliance and reduce youth unemployment in the nation. The study therefore recommended that, targeted interventions such as increased funding, enhanced security measures, curriculum integration, teacher training, community engagement, student involvement and marketing support in school farm activities should be implemented so as to enhance students' development of entrepreneurial skills through agriculture, promote food security and zero hunger as stated in Sustainable Development Goals.