Sustainable Agricultural Education and Career Aspirations: (Re)engaging Cambodia’s Rural Youth in Agricultural Innovation

As the agriculture sector in many countries ages, sustainable agricultural systems that engage youth are necessary for food security and economic stability, both global priorities. However, this requires that young people are committed to their communities and (re)engaged in farming activities despite ongoing global patterns of urbanization. While education is key to achieving these sustainable development goals, young people are engaging in agriculture, a field often perceived as outdated, at diminishing rates. This study examines rural high school learners in Cambodia and their aspirations for agricultural careers after participating in sustainable agricultural education activities that focused on innovations in farming. Situated in social cognitive career theory, this study finds that as youth are exposed to modern agricultural education, including innovation and sustainable mechanization, they become more interested in a future career in agriculture and increasingly see education as integral to the agriculture sector.