Abstract
The study identified competencies needed by arable crop farmers in soyabeans production for food security in Edo State, Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study. Survey research design was employed for the study. The study was carried out in Edo State, Nigeria. The population for the study was all the Agricultural extension workers in Edo State and all agricultural science teachers in the agricultural zones in Edo State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 177 agricultural science teachers and 30 agricultural extension workers making a total sample of 207 respondents. Structured questionnaire on soyabeans production was developed and validated by three experts. Two hundred and seven copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents and were retrieved and analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used to determine internal consistency of the instrument which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.84. Findings from the study revealed that arable crop farmers in Edo State need requisite competencies in pre-planting, planting, post-planting and marketing operations of soyabeans. It was recommended amongst others that crop farmers in Edo State should be trained by agricultural extension workers in soyabeans production using the identified requisite competencies.
Keywords: Competencies, Arable Crop Farmers, Soyabeans Production, Food Security and Agricultural Extension Workers.
Publication Date: 2024-07-03