Farming the Future: Determinants of Agropreneurial Intention among Engineering Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Students
List of Authors
Atikah Nor Johari, Ruzana Abdullah
Keyword
agropreneurial intention, attitude toward behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control
Abstract
The increasing global demand for sustainable food production and rural revitalization has spotlighted the importance of fostering the next generation of agropreneurs. However, despite numerous agricultural policies and programs, youth engagement in agriculture remains insufficient. This conceptual study explores the determinants of agropreneurial intention among engineering entrepreneurship undergraduate students, applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a robust psychological framework. The TPB posits that intention toward a specific behavior is predicted by three core components: attitude toward the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This study critically examines how students’ perceptions of agriculture as a viable career path (attitude), the influence of peers, family, and institutional support (subjective norms), and their confidence in overcoming barriers to agropreneurship (perceived behavioral control) interact to shape their intention to become future agropreneurs. Drawing on existing literature, this study identifies gaps in understanding how educational exposure, entrepreneurial mindset, and socio-cultural dynamics influence these TPB constructs in the context of youth agropreneurship. It proposes a conceptual model linking these determinants to agropreneurial intention, emphasizing the role of targeted education, mentorship, and policy alignment in enhancing positive behavioral beliefs. The study offers theoretical contributions by extending TPB into the agri-entrepreneurial domain and practical implications for curriculum designers, policymakers, and agricultural agencies seeking to cultivate a new generation of youth-led agribusiness innovators. The paper concludes by recommending avenues for future empirical validation and interventions that can transform intention into sustainable agropreneurial action.