LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XXIII (2) 119 MOTIVATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE FOR STUDYING AGRICULTURE SANDRA KANTAR* 1 1 Križevci college of agriculture, Croatia *Corresponding author’s e-mail: skantar@vguk.hr Abstract: The paper explores the motivation of young people for studying agriculture at Križevci College of Agriculture in Croatia. Particular focus is placed on students' motivation to study agriculture and to standards in the quality of studying in general. The survey was conducted over a nine-year period from 2013/14. to 2020/21. on a appropriate sample of 413 freshmens. The results of the research show that the College needs to improve marketing promotion and quality of the students' standard. However, students have a very positive assessment of the reputation, tradition, and historical background of the College, which greatly influences the level of students' overall interest in studying. In addition, the professional study of agriculture enables students to acquire professional knowledge and create practical skills and experiences, which increase their chances for instant employment. Keywords: motivation, students, Križevci College of Agriculture, survey INTRODUCTION Recently, topics related to the motivation of young people for a certain studies have become popular as well as many academic institutions are increasingly researching and analysing student’s motivation for the chosen study in order to respond to student’s needs in the future [6]. From the sociological point of view, motivation or need for achievement is acquired through the learning process, [1] in childhood through the process of socializing into the culture. Motivation is a behaviour directed towards a goal that arises needs caused in a person and the reason for behaviour is the accomplishment of needs [7]. The cause of a certain human behaviour are the internal psychological drivers that encourage someone to an activity, so the performance of an individual depends not only on his ability, but also on his motivation. However, not every motivation derives from the same factor, but according to Vujić [10] motivation is a collective term for all factors that cause, amplify, organise, and direct human behaviour. Petz [8] claims that only recent theories of motivation have clarified why a person's behaviour in life is not in line with his desires and interests: for example, someone may be most attracted to studying agriculture and still enrols in another faculty. Someone’s latest decision depends on several factors, not just how much one is attracted to a specific goal. In the final decision, someone chooses the goal for which is mostly motivated. Student motivation, or lack of it, is a major factor why some students are more successful than others. Motivation falls into two basic categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic motivation comes from a person’s environment. Intrinsic motivation comes from internal sources. Intrinsically motivated students are more likely to stay in school, achieve conceptual understanding, and be well adjusted. One of teachers’ role is to help students be intrinsically motivated and to learn [2]. The system of higher education in the Republic of Croatia is conducted through professional and university studies [11]. Currently, 1358 accredited study programs are being conducted, of which 1206 are university studies, and 265 are professional studies [12]. There are 15 faculties in the field of agriculture and among them, Križevci College of Agriculture (KCA, picture 1) is the oldest one [13]. So, the object of this paper is the research of students' motivation and interest for studying agriculture at KCA which delivers full-time and part-time high education study courses in accordance with the Bologna process [14]. The courses have professional programme orientation and are structured according to a two-cycle education system. KCA