STEP’s remarkable impact cultivating future agribusiness leaders

A quiet revolution is happening in the heart of Oyo State, Nigeria, transforming how secondary school students envision their futures. The catalyst for this change is the Start Them Early Program (STEP), a program dedicated to reshaping perceptions of agriculture and agribusiness among young minds. This innovative program’s success is now highlighted in a compelling new study titled “Agribusiness career choice among secondary school students: An assessment of Start Them Early Program in Oyo State, Nigeria.”

The study reveals a powerful story of inspiration and impact. Before the program’s intervention, 99.8% of students already had some awareness of agriculture. However, STEP’s influence extends far beyond this baseline knowledge. The program’s comprehensive approach, combining intensive training, a nurturing learning environment, and hands-on mentorship, has significantly shifted students’ career aspirations. Statistical analysis from the study reveals a significant impact, with STEP notably boosting students’ enthusiasm for pursuing careers in agribusiness. The data shows that 78% of STEP participants are inclined to choose a future career in agribusiness enterprises.

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