Author : Kritsada Phongkaranyaphat

Summary : This study examined the enrollment trend in agriculture courses, assessed the factors influencing enrollment of students in agriculture courses and implications to agriculture education program in Maejo University, Thailand. There were 670 first year students interviewed from the three campuses of Maejo University. The factors were classified into internal or external to the individuals. Among the internal factors under the category of socio-economic characteristics, only the occupation of father, i.e., farming was found to have influence on the agriculture students' enrollment decision. Moreover, four (of five) variables related to high school program were significant, except experience in agriculture. Among external factors, only cost of education and other persons have significant influence on their enrollment decision. These significant variables have marginal effects on the profitability of enrollment in agriculture courses ranging from a low 1% to a very high 80%. These values were determined using Probit analysis. Enrollment in agriculture courses as well as in non-agricultural courses in Maejo University showed an increasing trend from 2001-2010, however enrollment in agriculture lagged behind in terms of yearly increase and actual number. To increase enrollment in agriculture, students from both agriculture and non-agriculture courses provided suggestions that were focused more on making agriculture a profitable business. While There were suggestions related to academic program in agriculture these were ranked lower by the students. Nonetheless, more facilities for effective teaching and learning were suggested.