Determination of Skills Required in Duck Production for Self-Reliance Among Youths of South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the skills required in duck production for self-reliance among youths in south-south, Nigeria.  Questionnaire Survey research design was used for the study. Three objectives, three research questions and two hypotheses were used for the study. The population for the study was 6,594 comprises of 6,347 poultry farmers and 247 extension agents. The sample size for the study was 377 which was determined using the Taro Yamane Formula. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled Duck Production Skills for Self-Reliance Questionnaire (DPSSRQ). The instrument was face and content validated by five (5) experts: two experts from Agricultural Education, one expert in poultry production from the Department of Animal Production and another in Test Measurement and Evaluation, all from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University. To ensure the reliability of the instrument, it was trial tested on 30 respondents comprising 25 poultry farmers and 5 agricultural extension agents from Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue state. Data was collected and analysed using Cronbach alpha which a reliability index of 0.83 indicating that the instruments were reliable. A total of 377 copies of the questionnaire were administered to the subjects with the help of five trained research assistants, but only 358 were retrieved, which were used for data analysis. The questionnaire was on 4-point response options of Highly Required (HR=4), Moderately Required (MR=3), Slightly Required (SR=2) and Not Required (NR=1). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions, while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. In answering the research questions, a score of 2.50 and above was regarded as required, while less than 2.50 was regarded as not required. On the other hand, in testing the hypotheses where the p-value of 0.05 was equal to or less than the alpha value, the null hypothesis was rejected; otherwise, it was accepted. Based on the finding of the study, it was concluded that youths in South-South Nigeria require 97 skills for self-reliance in duck production. They are skills in planning (12 items and 9 items) and skills in breeding. The study also proved that for self-reliance in duck production, youths in South-South required necessary skills as identified in the study. It was therefore recommended that youths should seek for retraining on the planning skills identified in this study for better preparation of duck production.