IMPACT OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ON STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of experiential learning on students’ understanding of sustainable agricultural practices at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil. The research adopted a descriptive survey design with a stratified random sample of 150 students drawn from different academic levels in the Department of Agricultural Education. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated by experts and analyzed with descriptive statistics (mean, frequency, percentage) and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that experiential learning strategies—such as field trips, laboratory sessions, internships, and project-based tasks—were actively utilized in the curriculum, significantly enhancing students’ comprehension of sustainability concepts like climate-smart agriculture, soil conservation, and biodiversity management. Students also demonstrated the ability to apply sustainable farming techniques, including composting, crop rotation, and integrated pest management. However, barriers such as inadequate funding, insufficient farm tools, weak industry linkages, and limited semester time were identified as constraints to effective implementation. The results further indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between experiential learning and students’ understanding of sustainable agriculture (r = 0.64, p < 0.05). The study concludes that experiential learning is an essential pedagogical approach for strengthening agricultural education and promoting sustainability literacy among students. It recommends increased government and institutional funding, stronger partnerships with local farms, enhanced lecturer training, and greater integration of practical components into the curriculum. By addressing these challenges, agricultural education can be repositioned to better equip future professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary for advancing food security, environmental conservation, and sustainable development in Nigeria.