Cocoa-farmers’ preferred training schedule on good agricultural practices in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined cocoa farmers’ preferred training schedule on good agricultural practices (GAP) in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of 294 cocoa farmers were sampled through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected on respondents’ personal and socio-economic characteristics, perceived knowledge level in selected cocoa production management practices, method of training, form of training, venue of training, time of the year (month) for training and medium of expression. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and percentage. The study revealed that cocoa farmers can read and write Yoruba language (86.1%), the majority (75.6%) had between 6 – 17 years of formal education, and 60.9% were participating in religious organization. Cocoa farmers preferred practical demonstration method of training (85.4%) and training in groups (96.6%). They also preferred training at farm site (83.0%) as well as using the local dialect (60.9%) as medium of communication. Any training for cocoa farmers should be designed using practical demonstration and small plot adaptive technique.