Training needs of women farmers for improved income generation: A case study of vegetable farmers in Lapai Local Government Area, Niger State.

Abstract

he study was carried out in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine women’s roles in vegetable. production, to ascertain the areas in which (hey required training and to determine (heir average annual income generated from vegetable production, A total of 150 women vegetable fanners were purposively selected from six randomly selected villages (Gbage=15,Gupo/Atsu=30, Nassarawa=25, Ebbo=25, Gulu=30 and Takuti=25). The instrument for data collection was subjected to Validity and Reliability tests (r=0.89), Data were obtained from respondents through Interview Schedule and analyzed using descriptive and Inferential statistics. Findings showed that almost 80% of the respondents were 45 years and below, married (72.7%), white only 45.3% of them had format education. Most of the women vegetable farmers (86.7%) cultivated less than 0.5 ha of land. A total of eight areas in which training was required were identified and ranked from (he most to the least; Marketing (92%), Nursery management and transplanting (70%), Packaging (60.7%), Optimal planting method (51.3%), Harvesting method (36.7%) and different preservative methods (26.7%). Furthermore, almost two-thirds of them generated N100,000 and below annually. Chi square results showed significant relationships between age of the respondents and some of the training needs (Marketing; x2 =28.962 Preservative methods; x 2=31.37, Chemical weeding; x2 =8.3 7 and Seeds preparation/preservation: x2=6,90). Also, there were significant relationships between educational attainment and some of the training needs (Preservative methods; x2 =16.11,Harvesting methods x2 =1.54, Chemical weeding; x2 =11.44, Optimal planting method; x2 =27.3, Seeds preparation/preservation; x2 =11.04 and Nursery management and transplanting: x2 =16.3). Chi-square further revealed a significant relationship between average annual income and two of the training needs (Preservative methods; x2 =4.04 and Harvesting methods; x2 =6.94). it could be concluded that women vegetable farmers required different technical training programmes-to enhance their productivity and income- generation. Therefore, efforts should be made by all stakeholders such as State Agricultural Development Project and Fadama Development Programme in providing relevant training programmes to women vegetable farmers that improve their incomes.