OCCUPATIONAL DEFTNESS REQUIRED BY AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES IN DUCK PRODUCTION FOR INCOME GENERATION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Even with the recompense in duck production, duck is yet to rise to a significant level in contributing to meat and egg production as chicken. This study was designed to find out the occupational deftness required by graduates of agriculture in duck (Muscovy) production for income generation in Abia State. Four Objectives guided the study, and four null hypotheses were also formulated and tested. A survey research design was adopted for the study and a structured questionnaire was developed and face validated by three validates all from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and used for data collection. The questionnaire was tested for reliability and a reliability Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.82 was obtained for the instrument. The population of the study was 220 comprising 119 poultry farmers and 101 extension agents in Abia State. The whole of the population was studied. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while t-test statistic was used for testing the null hypotheses at the probability of 0.05level of significance. The findings from the study revealed that the identified 45 items of occupational deftness’ were seen as required in duck production. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that the Abia state ministry of agriculture should make use of the findings of this study to organize capacity building programmes in the State to teach and enlighten farmers and graduates of agriculture on the 45 identified deftness which will ensure their increased efficiency in duck production.