Mechanisms for Enhancing Snail Farming Among Farmers for Employment Generation and Poverty Reduction in Ebonyi State (Published)
Unemployment and poverty are very common twin socio-economic problem in Ebonyi State, inspite of the employment opportunities in snail rearing. Thus, this study was carried out to identify mechanisms for enhancing snail farming for employment generation and poverty reduction in the state. The study adopted survey research design through questionnaire to elicit information from 144 respondents. Data gathered through questionnaire were analyzed using mean to answer the research questions. Data were gathered, analyzed and presented in order of the four research questions developed by researchers to guide the study. Results of the analysis indicated that farmers required skills to identify conducive pen environment, select reliable and viable snail stocks, properly feed the snail, prevent disease and pests and sell the snail farm produce. The results also, showed that farmers need pens and houses, feeds, weighing scale, access to low credit, subsidized inputs and favourable market channels. It was then recommended that Ebonyi State government should make policies that favour snail farming, provide subsidized inputs and train farmers on snail rearing skills. Also, farmers should utilize mechanisms identified by this study to enhance snail farming in the state.
Keywords: Employment, Farmers, Poverty, mechanism, snail farming
Exploration of Entrepreneurship and Employability Skills Needed for Poverty Alleviation: Evidence from Oyo State, Nigeria (Published)
This study focused on the exploration of entrepreneurship and employability skills needed for poverty alleviation in Oyo State. The study answered two research questions and tested two null hypotheses in line with the stated objectives. The target population of the study comprised two hundred and seven (207) 300Level and 400Level students in the Department of Educational Management in University of Ibadan, Nigeria. No sampling was done as the population is neither too small nor dispersal. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Entrepreneurship and Employability Skills needed for Poverty Alleviation (QEESPA)”. Findings reveal that Soft skills are needed for poverty alleviation in Ibadan North Local Government area of Oyo State, Nigeria (mean = 3.22, SD = 0.71) and there was no significant difference in the mean responses of male and female respondents regarding business skills and poverty alleviation in Ibadan North Local Government area of Oyo State, Nigeria (t205 = 1.191, P>0.05). Based on the findings made, it is concluded that business and soft skills are essential for reducing poverty in Oyo State Nigeria, specifically in the Ibadan North Local Government Area and society s affected by absence or lack of these skills. Based on the conclusion drawn, it is recommended, among others, that appropriate government agencies should launch a vigorous awareness campaign to educate the public on the value of acquiring business skills.
Keywords: Employability, Entrepreneurship, Poverty, Skills