THE INTEREST OF GENERATION Z STUDENTS AT THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, UNS, TO WORK IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AND FACTORS INFLUENCING IT

Abstract

The predominantly aging farmers in agriculture are apparent due to the youth's low interest in the sector, where it was found that only 6 out of 100 Generation Z-ers in Indonesia are interested in working in agriculture. This study aims to map the interest of 122 Generation Z students at the Faculty of Agriculture, Sebelas Maret University (UNS), to work in the agricultural sector and investigate factors influencing their interest in working in the agricultural industry using a binary logistic regression model. The results of this study revealed that 86 students are interested in working in the agricultural sector, where perception of work in the agricultural sector (X1) and student environment (X3) influence their interest in working in the agricultural sector. Surprisingly, motivation to work in the agricultural sector (X2) and family environment (X4) did not influence their interest in working there. This study provides valuable insight into how these factors influence youth's interest in working in the agricultural sector, especially amongst Generation Z students at the Faculty of Agriculture, Sebelas Maret University. Hence, further facilitations for interested students and efforts amplifying creative agriculture development programs involving students are needed