Evaluation of Farming Skills Acquisition Programme of Adamawa State Government, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the Farming Skills Acquisition Programme of Adamawa State Government, using a survey research design. The population of the study comprised of 50 trainers and 1,367 trainees. A systematic random sampling technique, using Taro Yamane formular was used to obtain a sample of 44 trainers and 309 trainees. The study collected data using a structured questionnaire, data collected was analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while the z-Test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that facilities were available, adequate and functional at Farming Skills Acquisition Centers, time allocated for training and training duration were adequate, objectives of Farming Skills Acquisition Programme were being achieved and graduates of FSAP established and engaged in agricultural businesses. Z-Test analysis showed no significant difference between the mean responses of trainees and trainers on availability of facilities for the operation of FSAP, adequacy of training duration and graduates rate of establishing and engaging in agricultural businesses. However, the z-Test showed a significant difference between the mean responses of trainers and trainees on the extent of achievement of the objectives of FSAP. The study recommended that Government and non-governmental organizations should cooperate with the farming skills acquisition centres in the area of skill training and manpower development; farming skills acquisition programme should be adopted and implemented by other states in Nigeria to reduce the rate of unemployment and government should make nonfunctional FSACs to be functional through renovation and funding.