Field Management Competencies Required by Agricultural Science Graduates in Plantain Production for Job Security in Enugu State

Abstract

The general purpose of the study was to determine the field management competencies required by Agricultural Science Graduates for job security in Enugu State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The study was carried out in Enugu State using a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study was 113 respondents, comprising 79 registered plantain farmers and 34 extension workers in the six agricultural zones in Enugu State. There was no sampling because the population was manageable. The instrument used for data collection was a 20 item structured questionnaire developed by the researcher. The instrument was structured using a four point rating scale for data collection and was validated by three experts. Cronbuch Alpha was used to determine the liability coefficient and the overall coefficient was 76 indicating that the instrument was reliable for use in data collection. Out of 113 copies of the questionnaire distributed, 106 copies were00 properly filled and used for the study representing 93.81% return rate. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions and t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .5 level of significance at 104 degree of freedom. The result revealed that all the items under fertilizer application, propping and weeding operation competencies for plantain production are required by agricultural science graduates for Job security in Enugu State. The study therefore, concludes that the identified competencies may be used to improving the teaching-learning process and competency development among the students in secondary school. Based on the findings, the following recommendations among others were made: schools should map out demonstration farms where students would put into practices the identified competencies in plantain production and agricultural extension workers should utilize the identified competencies in their extension services to the young plantain farmers.