PRODUCTION SKILLS REQUIRED BY SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATES FOR SUCCESS IN POPCORN FARMING ENTERPRISE IN AKURE AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF ONDO STATE

Abstract

This study focused on the identification of production skills required by secondary
school graduates for success in popcorn farming enterprise in Akure Agriculture Zone
of Ondo State. Three research questions guided the study. The study adopted survey
research design. The study was carried out in Akure Agricultural zone of Ondo State.
The population of the study was 92 made up of 64 teachers of Agricultural science
and 28 Agricultural Extension agents. Due to the small size of the population there
was no sampling. The instrument used for data collection was a 47-item structured
questionnaire which was face validated by three experts, Cronbach Alpha reliability
method was employed to determine the internal consistency of the instrument and a
coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. Ninety two copies of the instrument were
administered on the respondents and all were retrieved. Mean and standard
deviations were used to answer the research questions. It was found that all the 47
production skills identified for popcorn production were required by secondary school
graduates in Akure Agricultural zone of Ondo state for success in popcorn farming
enterprise. It was therefore recommended that the production skills required by
secondary school graduates for success in popcorn farming enterprise be packaged
and integrated into the curriculum of the skill acquisition centers for the training of
the individuals on popcorn production