Abstract:
The study focused on the identification of competency improvement needs of farmers in soil conservation practices in Kogi State. Seven research questions were developed and answered in line with what the study sought to find out. Six null hypotheses were formulated and tested at the probability of 0.05 level of significance and 532 degrees of freedom. The study made use of survey research design. A questionnaire was developed from the review of related literature and used for collecting data for the study. The questionnaire was face-validated by three experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha method with a coefficient of 0.91. The questionnaire was used to collect data from five hundred and forty (540) respondents made up of three hundred and thirty (330) Registered Crop Farmers and two hundred and ten (210) Agricultural Extension Agents. The data collected for the study were analyzed using weighted mean, standard deviation and Improvement Needed Index (INI) to answer the research questions and t-test statistic was used to test the null hypotheses of no significant difference. The findings of the study indicated that six (6) modules and their corresponding 316 competencies were needed by farmers for soil conservation practices. It was also found out that farmers needed improvement in the modules listed below and their corresponding competencies in soil conservation practices. 1. Tillage practices 14 competencies 2. Soil testing and analysis 82 competencies 3. Soil erosion prevention and control 94 competencies 4. Manuring 57 competencies 5. Crop rotation 16 competencies 6. Afforestation 53 competencies The result of the null hypotheses tested indicated that there was no significant difference in the mean ratings of the responses of Agricultural Extension Agents and Registered Crop Farmers on 214 competencies out of 316 needed by farmers for soil conservation practices in Kogi State. It was also discovered that there was a significant difference in the mean ratings of the responses of the respondents on 102 competency items in soil conservation practices. It was recommended that the six (6) modules and their corresponding competency items identified by this study be packaged into a training programme for the skill acquisition centres in Kogi State for training and re-training of farmers in soil conservation practices for increased crop production.
