ABSTRACT
Yam farmers are expected to produce acceptable yam that are free from any deformities, thus, requiring them to have knowledge about pest and disease that could hinder quality yam production. The study thus investigated farmers training need on yam pests and diseases in Ovia North East of Edo state using five communities (Okada, Uhen, Iguomo, obazuwa, Ogbese) as a case study. Specifically, it examined the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, identified the constraints they face while controlling pests and diseases, ascertained their level of competence in pests and diseases control activities, and identified their training needs on the pests and diseases control activities.
A two-stage sampling procedure was used, first the selection of 5 communities notable for yam production, second, 12 farmers were selected from each making a total of 60 respondent. A questionnaire was used to get the data and was administered using Google form. The data thus collected were described using frequency count, percentages, and means while the logit regression was used to test the hypothesis.
The study found that, yam farmers were predominantly (90%) male and they had an average age of 41 years. 20% of the respondent did not have any formal education and their household size were between 5 to 9 with a mean of 6 members, they have an average farming experience of 15 years. It was observed that 90% of the farmers has no formal training on yam production or farming, the average yearly income was #378,533. The training needs were analyzed and ranked using mean weighted discrepancy scores (MWDS). “Identification of yam pests and disease” (MWDS = 2.92) “Identification of appropriate yam pesticides” (MWDS = 2.98), “Knowledge of the storage of yam pest control chemicals” (MWDS = 2.05), and “Appropriate use of correct quantity of chemicals for pest control” (MWDS = 2.98). A MWDS of less than 2.0, indicate less need for training while MWDS above 2.0 indicate a high training need. The binary logistic regression explained 37.81% of the variance in the socio-economic characteristic (Nalkerke R squared = 37.81) and correctly classified as 62.37% of cases, specifically, it was revealed that education (odd ratio = 23.34), Age (odd ratio = 15.96), years of experience (odd ratio= 8.94) as well as yearly income (odd ratio = 9.49) significantly influenced the level of knowledge of farmers in the study area at p<0.05. it is recommended that; Extension agent should intensify training to broaden farmers knowledge on pests and diseases, the yam farmers should belong to an association so they can get easy access to information, the yam farmers should be sensitized on various avenues through which they can get adequate capital, Government, non- government organization, should make available pesticide that farmers can use easily and at an affordable price, Government, non- government organization, banks of agriculture, etc should provide grants loans with less stringent policy so as to allow farmers purchase planting materials or other inputs.
