Small Ruminant Farmers’ Training Needs on the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Disseminated Technologies in Ondo State, Nigeria (Published)
The development and dissemination of improved small ruminant technologies across southwestern Nigeria is essential for sustainable sheep and goat production and food security. However, the recent dissemination of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) technologies revealed low adoption of some technologies. Retraining small ruminant farmers on the previously disseminated technologies in the study area is essential to ensure farmers maximise benefits and improve productivity. Therefore, assessment of the training needs of small ruminant farmers in Ondo State concerning IAR&T disseminated technologies was carried out. This study adopted a multi-stage sampling procedure to select 80 respondents. An interview schedule was employed to elicit information, and the data obtained were analysed using descriptive (percentages & mean scores) and inferential statistics (Pearson Product-Moment Correlation). Results revealed that extension service (97.5%) was the primary pathway for receiving livestock information. Respondents possessed some knowledge of the use of tobacco leaf extract in the control of ecto-parasites. Awareness about the types of ecto-parasites that tobacco leaf extract could control was high (98.8%). The training needs of higher priority for small ruminant farmers were sourcing and selection of healthy foundation stock ( =2.24). The highest constraints associated with respondents’ training needs included high cost of capital investment ( =1.44), the use of technical terminologies ( =1.20), and poor accessibility of small ruminant technologies ( =1.19). In conclusion, effective information dissemination is crucial for the acquisition of knowledge and skills of small ruminant farmers. Therefore, IAR&T should effectively provide more information on sheep and goat technologies to improve productivity through training programmes.
Keywords: Farmers, Information, Training needs, sheep and goats, technology accessibility
Comparative Analysis of the Training Needs and Job Performance Constraints among Block Extension Supervisors in Abia and Akwaibom States, Nigeria (Published)
Comparative analysis of the training needs and job performance constraints among block extension supervisors in Abia and Akwa Ibom states was studied. Primary and secondary data were collected with structured questionnaire from 28 BESs drawn from Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means and t-test were employed in data analysis. Result shows that BESs in Abia and Akwa Ibom states had highest need for training in control of ecto-parasite (X= 3.93) and endo-parasite (X= 4.29) respectively. In fishery practices, Abia and Akwa Ibom states BESs had greatest need for training in fish pond construction (X = 3.71) and site selection for pond. In extension message delivery, Abia and Akwa Ibom states BESs had highest training needs in reporting farming/field problems, identification of new farmers (X=4.93) for each practice and coordination of farmers meeting (X=4.64) among others. In soil science, Abia and Akwa Ibom states BESs had highest training needs in fertilizer application methods (X= 4.93) and (X= 4.57). In Agroforestry, the BESs in Abia and Akwa Ibom states had highest need for training in establishment of snail farm (X= 4.21) and (X= 3.93). In agronomic practices, Abia and Akwa Ibom states BESs had highest need for training in site selection for crops land preparation, planting technique and fertilizer application (X= 4.79) and (X= 4.64). The major problems facing the BESs were poor input backup, lack of tangible facility for movement on the field, irregular supply of OFAR and SPAT inputs e.tc for Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Recruitment of more EAs and constant in-service training were recommended among others.
Keywords: Abia and Akwa Ibom States, Constraints, Job Performance, Nigeria, Training needs, extension agents